Enhancing Wellness with Emotional Intelligence: Session 4 - Stress Management
Life as we knew it took a dramatic turn in early 2020 due to COVID-19. The pandemic disrupted life, affecting citizens' social, economic, and health fabric worldwide. People were forced to adapt to a new way of living, such as working remotely and dealing with loss and grief arising from the death of a loved one, among others. These circumstances brought about distress, a situation that needs to be addressed. It, therefore, becomes paramount that people are equipped with coping mechanisms to deal with the various life stressors that have arisen from the pandemic and life generally. One such strategy is improving an individual's emotional intelligence (EQ) capabilities.
In partnership with Albert Migowa, Columbia Global Centers | Nairobi introduced a series that intends to cover diverse topics on EQ to help members of the general population cope and adapt to life in the 21st Century, particularly with the challenges presented by the pandemic. The first part of this series was held in November 2021 and covered "What is Emotional Intelligence?" (watch the video here), where we defined and delineated the concept. The second part, held in March 2022, covered "Self-Awareness" (watch the video here), while the third part, held in April 2022, covered Self- Regulation (watch the video here). This upcoming session will delve deeper into Stress Management. In the pipeline are sessions that will run till October on other subject areas such as Resilience, Self-Care, Time Management, Decisiveness, Critical Thinking, and Mansplaining.
Albert Migowa is a trained Counseling Psychologist. As a Psychologist, he is able to understand the emotions and feelings of people thereby able to communicate effectively. Additionaly, Albert is a counselor with the Red Cross.
Albert has been involved in Mental health projects with nationwide profiles. Some of these projects have been supported by UNICEF, Danish Redcross, Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS), European Union, University of Maryland, Ministry of Health (MOH) African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF) and United States Aid Agency (USAID), through Afya Jijini programme.
Currently, Albert is an Emotional Intelligence Facilitator. He is a member of Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Network. To date, Albert has facilitated sessions for over 500 individuals. Key institutions and Organisations, where Emotional Intelligence sessions have been held include Emerging Leaders foundation, Kamiti Maximum Prison, Siasa Place, Internet Society-Kenya Chapter, Rotaract Langata, Kenya Red Cross, Awareness 360, Coderina, the National Youth Council (NYC) and Kenya National Commission of UNESCO among others.
Other roles:
- Member-National Committee Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Kenya.
- Youth lead-Kenya adolescent health toolkit
- Trainer-Advocating for adolescent health, Ministry of Health
- Member-Global Financial Facility CSO forum
- Member-National committee STEM4PEACE, Global peace foundation& CEMASTEA.
- Chairman-Public Relations and Communication, Internet Society Kenya.
- Mentor-Presidential Digitalent Programme, ICT Authority
- Mentor-Emerging Leaders Foundation
- Women champion-Facebook developer circles, Nairobi
- Outstanding judge- Nairobi Innovation week 2019
- Member- Atlassian User Group Nairobi
- Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator
- Certified Google digital skills trainer.
- Certified Social Intrapreneur- Ashoka Changemakers
Dr. Susan W. Gitau is a counseling psychologist, certified mediator, training of trainers expert, trauma counseling specialist, peace and security and gender advisor, researcher and motivational speaker. Dr. Gitau also lectures in counseling psychology, clinical practice, multicultural and trauma counseling. Dr. Gitau is the Director of International Professional Counselors Centre - Kenya, the Kiambu County Chairperson and Senior Supervisor in the Kenya Counseling & Psychological Association and she is also a Certified Professional Mediator of the Kenya & East African Standby Force (AU). Dr. Susan Gitau is the founder and trustee of the Susan Gitau Counseling Foundation.