The National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) hosted the 6th International Blended Conference on Guidance, Counselling and Psychology at the University Seat in Lanet, Nakuru.The University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Lieutenant General David Tarus, presided over the opening and closing ceremonies of the Conference.
The two-day conference themed ‘Integrating Innovative Psychological Interventions for Peace, National Security, and Sustainable Development’ is a collaborative venture between NDU-K and the Kenya Guidance, Counselling & Psychological Association (KGCPA), bringing together distinguished professionals to explore ground breaking approaches in psychological science that contribute to global peace and security.
The VC emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships between government agencies and non-state actors. He explained that such collaborations offer valuable insights and enhance resource mobilization, which is essential for tackling the complex mental health challenges and fostering country’s socio-economic development.
Similarly,He reaffirmed that NDU-K’s mandate remains training and building capacity as well as conducting research and innovation in the niche areas of national security and strategy to contribute to national security and development.
Prof. Margret Mwenje, the Chairperson of KGCPA, expressed hope that the conference would help shape a better strategic direction and deepen understanding of critical intersection of psychological health and national security issues for country’s development prosperity. She encouraged course participants to strengthen national security through a combination of knowledge, ethics, and strategic thinking.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Centre for Security & Strategic Studies (CSSS) Major General Joyce Sitienei, encouraged the participants to embrace innovative psychological interventions in addressing pertinent issues in a fast-paced society that exerts pressure on individuals and families which often leads to hopelessness, stress, trauma, and a host of mental health issues that requires integrated psychological interventions.
The conference featured a series of keynote addresses from renowned experts in Psychological education, Security and strategic studies. Among the topics covered were; The impact of clinical interventions on the mental health outcomes of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Soldiers, psychological resilience and trauma-informed approaches in conflict zones, the role of mental health in national security and community development, psychological warfare and its impact on the peace process, among other topics.
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