This study examined the extent to which systems such as schools, hospitals, workplaces, and community programs in Kenya integrate young people’s lived experiences to enhance their sense of safety. It was based on the assumption that exposure to mental health interventions by NGOs improves youths’ awareness of how systems accommodate lived experiences. Using a survey design grounded in opportunity mapping, data were collected from 63 respondents selected from a calculated sample threshold of 69 using Cochran’s formula. Cross-sectional qualitative data were analysed through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Respondents included 46.0% female, 49.2% male, and 4.8% non-binary participants. Most were mental health advocates (41.3%), followed by community organizers (15.9%) and student researchers (17.5%). Overall, 88.9% considered inclusion of lived experiences important or highly important. About 74.4% reported that lived experiences are at least sometimes incorporated into system design, while 73.1% felt systems moderately reflect community realities. A strong or somewhat strong sense of belonging was reported by 63.5%, mainly linked to feeling heard, valued, and included. Key barriers included limited decision-making access and power imbalances, prompting calls for co-creation frameworks and inclusive participation.
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