Cruzz Eltone, 22, is the founder of We Are One (WAO), a mental health group that, in his words, “aims to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental health issues by creating and providing a safe space”. Our Young Achiever Star tells WAIRIMU KARIUKI how he is positively impacting society and shares his vision for future mental health conversations.
At just 22, Cruzz Eltone, a mental health advocate, communicator and computer science major, is positively impacting society by turning his pain into purpose. After battling his own struggles with mental health and noticing that a lot of young people have the same struggle, he didn’t just heal and move on. He decided to do something about it, and started a mental health group that’s now providing a safe space for young people to be vulnerable, speak up and seek help. His story is not just about a dream, it’s also about courage, resilience, empathy and impact.
Having struggled for years with childhood trauma, grief and the emotional turmoil that comes with losing your childhood to grief, Cruzz has his own share of pain. In an emotional part of a journal he shares, Cruzz writes, “losing myself to childhood trauma created a complex tapestry of grief, pain, and determination in my life.
The weight of sorrow was an indescribable ache, shaping an emotional rollercoaster filled with despair and fleeting hope. Rebuilding my shattered life felt like assembling a puzzle with missing pieces, each day bringing new challenges and uncharted emotional depths.
Grief became a constant companion, expressing itself in waves of sadness, anger, and emptiness. Progress seemed elusive, often overshadowed by setbacks in this dance between moving forward and stepping back. Amidst all this pain, he decided not to let the darkness define him; instead, he summoned the courage to deal with the darkness.
Founding We Are One to Cruzz was more about making a difference than realising a dream, doing something that would differentiate him from others who have gone through the same as him.
We Are One, founded in June 2024, is an online mental health platform that started with a few members but now has more than a thousand members, with branches across major Kenyan cities. He is a firm believer that the daily struggle, tears in solitude, and the relentless pursuit of healing are a testimony of commitment. Each sunrise is an opportunity to live by embodying kindness, strength, and unwavering love.
Whenever he doubted that he would make any impact, Cruzz reminded himself that his vision to create an organisation for those in depression and grief is a beacon of hope in a world that often feels dim. He lives by the mantra: “With each hand you hold and each heart you lift, you sow seeds of compassion that will blossom into a garden of support and renewal.”
The mental health group, which operates mainly on social media platforms, has monthly meet-ups, where people meet and talk about everything mental health, with experts and therapists, while having fun with peers.
The group also holds daily discussions with new topics every other day. This is where they catch up, cheer each other up and encourage one another. To Cruzz, this is an achievement, one that he is proud of, because he gets to see young people speak up and seek help, something he wished to have done then, but didn’t have a safe space to vent out, considering he is introverted.
The group also organises events, like movie nights, sightseeing and cultural events, which are open to all, where the members trade their worries for fun games, laughter and shared snacks. Since running a mental health initiative can be heavy, Cruzz never forgets to take care of himself, and he always reminds himself to plug out whenever it gets overwhelming, because one cannot pour from an empty cup.
Testimonials from members of We Are One are proof that not only did he create a safe space, but he also helped provide a platform for young people dealing with depression, addiction, grief, trauma and low self-esteem.
Christine, who has been a member of WAO for a year now, says that the group has given her opportunities to interact and connect with people, helped her improve her sense of self-worth and broadened her knowledge on mental health.
“I’m a bit more social right now. I’ve been struggling with a bunch of voices in my head, and WAO has been good, especially because of the daily discussion topics. It’s a safe space, because we live in a world that treats mental health like the plague. Oh, I met the most amazing human thanks to WAO,” Mshee testifies.
“WAO has impacted me in such a powerful and personal way,” Patience says. Being part of a space where mental health is not only talked about openly but also supported with real empathy has helped her feel seen and understood. She has learnt how to cope better, how to express herself, and most importantly, that she is not alone in what she goes through. She also adds that WAO isn’t just a group, it’s a safe space, a community, and a reminder that healing is possible, even in small steps.
Kelvin, who’s been dealing with a chronic illness as long as he can remember, says that the group gives him hope, and the people he has met through the group have been nothing but blessings in his life.
On issues of men’s mental health, Cruzz agrees that it is about time for men to accept vulnerability, speak up and seek help, because it is only then that people will understand you need help. Surprisingly, you might find people going through the same thing as you, and some even worse and overcame it, which, for a normal human being, would serve as a solace that it eventually gets better.
It is his wish that men realise that vulnerability is not weakness; it is okay not to be okay, and it is okay to speak up and seek help. The group, with only a registration fee of KSh130, provides free therapy from certified therapists, providing young people with a safe space. The group is also all inclusive, and everyone is welcome to join, interact, make friends and seek help, without fear of judgment or shame.
When asked his vision for mental health conversations in the future, he sees a time when mental health conversations won’t be taboo, and where seeking help will be a proud step towards bettering yourself, not an act of shame or a show of weakness. He hopes to raise more awareness on mental health, and at least, if not completely, end the stigma surrounding mental health.
When asked what he is most proud of, he says it’s not external accomplishments but the intangible growth from the depths of grief. The transformation from a shattered being into a man becoming his better version in every small step forward. A testament to the enduring power of love and healing.
This story was originally published in Issue 447. Click here to read the full issue.
For more, click HERE to join our WhatsApp channel!
You must be logged in to post a comment Login