From Left: Duduzile Mkhize (Outreach and Partnership Manager, SSA, TikTok), Dr. Claire Gathoni Kinuthia (Kenya), Dr. Olawale Tokunbo Ogunlana (Nigeria), Dr. Siyamak Saleh (South Africa), Sanam Naran (South Africa) and Keagile Makgoba (Head of Communications, Sub-Saharan Africa, TikTok). PHOTO | COURTESY
Kenyan medical doctor and content creator Claire Kinuthia has been unveiled as one of TikTok’s inaugural Mental Health Ambassadors, joining a select group of African healthcare professionals tasked with championing online well-being across the continent.
The announcement was made at TikTok's first-ever Digital Well-being Summit, which took place on June 26, 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa. At the summit, policymakers, experts in mental health, leaders of NGOs, and members of the tech industry gathered to talk about ways to make the digital world kinder and safer. Dr. Kinuthia joins the ranks alongside Sanam Naran and Doctor Siyamak Saleh from South Africa, and Nigeria’s Doctor Olawale Ogunlana.
The ambassadors, selected from the Fides Network of the World Health Organization, will work on the platform to raise awareness of mental health, provide reliable information, and advocate for healthy digital habits. Dr. Kinuthia is a consultant obstetrician/gynecologist who is also a mental health advocate and a health educator. She is dedicated to providing women of all ages with comprehensive and compassionate care. "Wellbeing is more than just being healthy. It’s about empowering individuals, especially women, to take charge of their health through knowledge and support. I’m honoured to be one of the mental health ambassadors for TikTok, leveraging on using content to drive change for users on the platform. Digital platforms in today’s world have become bridges to better, more inclusive healthcare,” she said of her new role.
TikTok also launched a comprehensive set of new tools and initiatives designed to boost user happiness, particularly among young people, at the summit. Among the headline announcements was the expansion of TikTok’s $2.3 million (approx. Ksh.297 million) global Mental Health Education Fund to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Along with the Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), Kenya's Mental360 organization was selected as one of the initial recipients. In a further push for regional support, TikTok revealed plans to launch local in-app helplines in several African countries, allowing users reporting content related to self-harm, suicide, hate, or harassment to access direct support services including counselling and psychological aid.
In addition, the platform announced a brand-new meditation feature that has been integrated into its Sleep Hours setting. This feature automatically kicks in at 10 p.m. for users under the age of 18, assisting younger audiences in developing healthier digital habits and regulating their emotions prior to bed. TikTok Global Head of Trust and Safety Outreach, Valiant Richey, emphasized the platform’s responsibility to empower users in managing their digital experiences:
“People come to TikTok to learn, share their experiences, and connect with communities around the world. As a result, "we're proud to introduce tools that not only support digital wellbeing but also give our community, particularly young users, the tools they need to explore and navigate complex emotions in a safe and supportive environment," he said. The summit highlighted TikTok’s growing commitment to digital safety through community-driven innovation and public-private partnerships.
As the platform continues expanding its reach in Africa, the inclusion of voices like Dr. Kinuthia’s signals a broader, more inclusive approach to tackling online harm and promoting mental wellness.
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