Wanjiru Karanja

Wanjiru Karanja is the visionary founder of Clear Minds Better Livez (CMBL), an organization established in 2019 to promote mental health awareness within the Kenyan-immigrant community in the United States. Since its founding, CMBL has expanded globally, advocating for communities of color across Africa and Europe.

In 2022, Wanjiru earned a Master of Science in Global Mental Health from King’s College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Her educational background has been pivotal in elevating mental health advocacy worldwide. Alongside this, she is a recognized expert in lived experiences of depression and suicide, self-awareness, childhood trauma, and psychology. Under her leadership, CMBL forged key partnerships with organizations like the American Psychological Association, led by Dr. Thema, and the Dutch Mental Health International Hub. She was a featured speaker at the European Public Mental Health Week in 2021.

In Kenya, Wanjiru has led mental health workshops with Trace FM and participated in interviews to raise awareness. On International Women’s Day 2021, she joined Jeff Koinange to discuss mental wellness for women and suicide prevention. Each year, she visits Kenyatta Primary School to support young girls facing period poverty and mental health challenges. In early 2024, Wanjiru stepped back from her leadership role at CMBL to focus on her own mental health. After taking a much-needed break, she is now restructuring her non-profit, projects, and business. Having moved back to Kenya indefinitely, she continues to serve both the Kenyan diaspora and local communities.

Wanjiru is a passionate advocate for global mental health and well-being, suicide awareness, and Black and women’s rights. As a multiple suicide survivor, she brings a deeply personal perspective to her advocacy. She is also a public speaker, podcaster, environmentalist, mental wellness policy consultant, and serves on the boards of organizations aligned with her mission. Through her work, Wanjiru seeks to inspire, educate, and impact communities by advocating for better mental health policies worldwide, decriminalizing suicide, and promoting the importance of self-awareness.