Stella WARUINGI

Mental health program manager with over 10 years of experience in coordinating innovative mental health interventions and engaging stakeholders. Proven track record in implementing public mental health initiatives and providing mentorship to health professionals, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

• International Facilitator for WHO - Mental Health & Psychosocial Support in Humanitarian Emergencies
• Master trainer WHO mhGAP-IG – trained over 500 primary healthcare workers and 70 Trainers of Trainers
• Master trainer Group Interpersonal Therapy – facilitated over 30 groups, trained 60 trainers of trainers and supervised over 90 IPT-G sessions
• Master Trainer of WHO mhGAP Community Toolkit with more than 1500 Community Health Volunteers trained and supervised.
• Master trainer of Psychological First Aid and supervisor with over 30 cohorts trained
• Consultant- International Peace Support Training Centre, Karen- subject matter expert on psychosocial support in Disaster management.
• Development training modules and facilitating training on adolescent mental health.

• Building Better Before: Scaling up capacity for mental health and psychosocial support operational readiness- WHO
• Health Cluster Coordinator – WHO
• MHPSS Expert at Africa Health Volunteers for Health Corps (AVoHC) SURGE Member – WHO AFRO
• Master Trainer in WHO mhGAP-IG:| APHRC | University of Oxford 03/01/22
• Global Mental Health | University of Washington | 10/01/21 - 12/31/21
• Trainer of Trainers and Supervisor in Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-G) | University of Nairobi/HealthRight International | 03/01/21 - 12/31/21
• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in COVID-19 PFA | Kenya Red Cross Society, 03/01/20
• Mental Health, Human Rights and Recovery | World Health Organization: Quality Rights e-Training | 07/01/19
• Senior Management Course| Kenya School of Government | 12/01/18
• Incidence Crisis Management; Disaster Preparedness Planning; Incident Command | International Peace Support Training Centre | 09/01/16, 09/01/17, 09/01/18
• Certificate in Disaster Preparedness and Planning | Systems; DRM for Managers Histadrut Institute, Israel | 08/01/16

• Available upon request

• Mental Health & Psychosocial Support in Emergencies, MHPSS Expert AVOHC Member – Africa CDC & WHO AFRO, MHPPS in Humanitarian/Public Health Emergencies Trainer - Trained over 800 Rapid Response Teams for Public Health Emergencies in Mental Health & Psychosocial Support in Emergencies in Kenya and over 300 in Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana and Mauritius, Participated in WHO Building Better Before MHPSS Preparedness Full scale Simulation Exercise., Established and co-chaired subnational COVID-19 MHPSS TWG, Lobbied and pioneered the integration of MHPSS in Nairobi County Disaster Response & Management structure, Developed mental wellness after-care plan for Nairobi County disaster response team., Responded to major disasters in Kenya to offer MHPSS such as Mai-Mahiu flash floods, Garissa Terrorist Attack, Westgate Attack, Famine in Arid areas and currently leading the national MHPSS team in Marburg and Mpox response, Pioneered the first county owned Child & Adolescent Mental Health Clinic during COVID-19 that’s now a Centre of Excellence., Participated in field testing of 'WHO MHPSS Multisectoral Assessment Toolkit'.
• Mental Health Services and Structures in Nairobi, Head of mental health services in Nairobi County and provide technical expertise to Health Management, Spearheaded the development of Nairobi County Mental Strategic Cation Plan 2025-2030, Established a Technical Working Group and mobilized more than 50M USD for Mental health program, Initiated expert movement which improved access to affordable specialized mental health services, Improved community mental health by training more than 1500 community healthcare workers to deliver low-intensity psychotherapy such as IPT-G, screening and referral of clients with mental health concerns., Achieved 50% integration of mental health services at primary healthcare through capacity building of healthcare workers on WHO mhGAP-IG guidelines., Improved mental health data reporting by 40% through the development of county-specific indicators with digitized reporting tool and a dashboard.

• Head - Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Program, Nairobi City County Government, 01/01/17 - Present, Spearheading the implementation of the Department's vision to prioritize mental health., Providing technical support to the County Health Management Team., Developing mental health annual work plan under MTEF., Mentorship to health professionals involved in mental health care., Developing public mental health interventions.
• Lead - Counselling & Rehabilitative Care, Nairobi County Government, Health Directorate, 01/01/15 - 12/31/16, Developed and implemented mental health programs with community health workers., Facilitated and monitored community mental health activities., Conducted research on mental health gaps., Strengthened cross departmental collaboration.
• Clinical Officer, Ministry of Health in Kenya, 01/01/07 - 12/31/12, Provided continuous, affordable and quality healthcare services., Assisted in general nursing and minor surgical procedures., Offered clinical assessment and treatment prescriptions.