This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
Published on July 23, 2019, a growing concern in Nairobi is the rise of betting addiction among the youth.
Nairobi County's mental health coordinator, Stella Waruingi, attributes this trend to the persuasive nature of betting advertisements, which often feature motivational visuals and reinforcement strategies.
Waruingi notes that these ads can be particularly effective in attracting young people, who may become hooked on the promise of winning and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it.
"In betting, they use the aspect of reinforcement and motivation, one is with the visuals where in every 10 minutes there is an advert of someone who has won and this makes you continue betting and believing that you will win When you lose too much it may lead you to depression," she stated.
Waruingi was speaking at the launch of & CUPS OF TEA App, an online platform that provides free support and therapy to individuals experiencing emotional distress.
The app connects users with trained listeners who can offer anonymous and confidential support, helping to address the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
