G4MH: How these friends are breaking the stigma around mental health with fun and games

This quote by Margaret Mead, a renowned anthropologist who emphasizes the power of collective action and individual impact echoed in my mind as I sat down with Beryl Adoyo, Chelsea Guya, and JT Bulinda from Games for Mental Health (G4MH).

What began as a simple game night in September 2022 has since grown into a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that harnesses music, art, psychology, and games (play therapy) to raise awareness about mental health.

Mental health is increasingly becoming a global conversation, with countries like the United Kingdom and the Netherlands instituting mental health off days for employees.

Initiatives to raise awareness are everywhere; almost everyone and their grandmother seem to be championing the cause but it’s not every day you hear of games or art being used as tools to drive this message home.

When I ask Bulinda, the founder of G4MH, why that is, he simply says, “Play is a universal language.”

Young or old, play is something we all relate to. Whether it was kati or bano in childhood, video games, or board games, play is woven into the very fabric of who we are.

I got to experience their work firsthand on March 1st at one of their live events in Nairobi—a well-curated gathering where young people came together to simply connect and have fun.

The event blended live performances from various artists, a variety of games, and meaningful conversations, creating a space where play and mental wellness intertwined effortlessly.

Adoyo, another co-founder, shares that it’s easier for people to let their guard down while playing a game than it is to open up about what they’re going through.

By integrating play and conversation, G4MH is breaking the stigma around therapy and mental health, making it feel less intimidating and more accessible.

For Guya, this mission is deeply personal. She recalls how she became part of the G4MH team during one of their biggest events in 2023 when she volunteered to help out.

What the team didn’t know at the time was that Guya was battling mental health struggles. “I was abused in an environment where I was meant to be safe,” she shares.

Years later, now serving as the team’s logistics manager, she reflects on her journey saying, “Games saved my life.”

She’s not the only one whose life has been transformed by this fun and playful approach to mental wellness.

Bulinda and Adoyo recount how, during their first official game night in November 2022, an attendee approached them and admitted that they had planned to take their own life that very night—only to change their mind after an evening of laughter, connection, and games with strangers who soon became friends.

Despite funding most of its operations out of pocket, Bulinda insists it’s never been about the money. “A saved life is worth far more,” he says.

Beyond therapy (both paid and pro-bono), community outreach programs, wellness checks, webinars, and workshops, one G4MH initiative that stood out to me was The Sanctuary—a safe space they set up at festivals.

Picture this: You’re at a concert or festival. Maybe you’ve overindulged, or perhaps the excitement of the day has become overwhelming.

Then, somewhere within the venue, you spot a calm retreat—hammocks, beds, soft music, and games. A space where people can simply unwind, step away from the chaos, or even blackout safely if needed—until they’re ready to rejoin the event.

A wellness space at a festival isn’t something you come across every day—and that’s exactly what sets G4MH apart.

Their vision extends far beyond Kenya. They dream of curating similar safe spaces across the globe, ensuring that mental health support becomes more accessible, engaging, and effective for all.

“A space where someone can walk in burdened and come out healed,” Bulinda shares.

To make this dream a reality, they hope to secure the resources needed to sustain their work and eventually establish a research centre dedicated to play therapy as a mental health wellness resource.

In a world that can often feel isolating, G4MH is proving that mental wellness doesn’t have to be confined to a therapist’s office.

Sometimes, it can begin with a simple roll of the dice, a shared laugh over a board game, or the comfort of knowing you’re not alone.