Our Approach

• We find respected local groups to be our partners, helping us adapt our approach to specific local culture and context. We also work with them to identify the community’s priorities, and the likely agents of change.
• Our partners, helped by our volunteer psychologists where appropriate, train community counsellors and other health workers in how to support and counsel people with mental health problems.
• For people with more serious mental health issues and mental disorders, the community counsellors learn when, how and where to refer clients so they can receive specialist help and medication where necessary.
• We identify influential community leaders and other key stakeholders; we train them in how to recognise and refer people displaying signs of mental health problems.
• We also provide additional mental health training to healthcare workers in order to strengthen and improve the existing community mental health services.
• Our project partners run multiple community awareness sessions, including radio talk shows, to inform and educate the community about mental illness in order to reduce stigma and encourage people to seek treatment.
• Once people are able to manage their trauma and other mental health problems, they often want to make plans for the future; our partners train people with new skills so they can set up income generating businesses. We support self-help groups, empowering people to work together to support their families.
• Where it is safe to do so, we train and encourage members of our self-help groups to advocate for their rights and for improved mental health services in their communities.

UN Sustainable Development Goals