Vida Plena, Global

¡Felicitaciones, Stefy! ¡Estamos tan orgullosos de tu trabajo!

This Thanksgiving, we at Vida Plena want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible community that makes our work possible. 🙏💙 We are so thankful for our dedicated team, volunteers, supporters, and donors who give their time, energy, and expertise to make a real impact. Firstly, a special shoutout to our group facilitators who are on the frontlines, day in and day out, providing care, support, and creating safe spaces for those who need it most. Your hard work and compassion are what make our program successful. 👏💙 We also want to thank our participants for putting their trust in us, as well as our local partners, NGOs, and the Secretaría de Salud for their invaluable collaboration. 🌍🤝 Extra thanks to Julia Karbing, one of our most passionate volunteers – your unwavering commitment inspires us all. 💪✨ Lastly, a big thank you to our board members, Greg Krupa, Daniela Peralvo Lupera, Patricio Andrade, Jazmin Estupinan, Katherine Coleman, Alana Murphy, Jack Rafferty the team at Columbia University: Helen (Lena) Verdeli, Bryan Cheng, Ph.D., Angela Paredes, Zelde Espinel, and of course the exceptional team in Ecuador: Gabi and Anita who have been there since the very beginning, and our newest members Fausto and Diego. Your dedication, passion, and expertise are what help us continue growing and impacting lives. We’re incredibly grateful for each of you and the collective effort to create positive change in mental health. Let’s keep working together to make a difference! 🌱💙 #Gratitude #MentalHealth #Community #VidaPlena #Teamwork #Thankful #Support #Partnership #Thanksgiving #GivingThanks

Yesterday, we shared a fun graphic showing the improvements in depression symptoms among Vida Plena participants. Today, we want to take a deeper dive into the data with a more detailed line graph to further illustrate the impact we are seeing. 📊 At Vida Plena, tracking our impact is something we take very seriously. We continuously measure how much individuals improve in their depression symptoms over the course of our program. One of the primary tools we use to assess these changes is the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). This self-assessment tool evaluates depression symptoms based on a series of 9 questions, with a score range of 1 to 27. A higher score reflects more severe symptoms. What stands out in the data is that individuals who begin with severe depression show the most significant improvements by the end of the program. This is something we are incredibly proud of because, while it can be easier to see improvements in those with milder symptoms, our program also supports those who are facing the most severe challenges—many of whom experience suicidal ideation. Despite their struggles, they still make significant progress. We believe in the power of community-based care and are committed to making a meaningful impact, especially for those who need it the most. Tracking and sharing this data not only reinforces the effectiveness of our approach but also ensures we continue to improve and serve those in need. #MentalHealth #DepressionRecovery #ImpactTracking #PHQ9 #VidaPlena #EvidenceBasedCare #MentalHealthMatters #CommunitySupport

We’re excited to share some amazing results from the Vida Plena program! 🌟 Here’s the impact: - 26% of participants started with severe depression. - By the end of the program, that dropped to just 7%. - 37% of participants finished with little to no symptoms of depression. These results show how effective our approach is in improving mental health through community support. We’re incredibly proud of the progress made and can’t wait to keep helping individuals lead healthier, happier lives. 💙 #MentalHealth #VidaPlena #CommunitySupport #DepressionRecovery #Impact #Wellbeing #ProudMoment

We are excited to share that Anita, co-founder of Vida Plena, was recently featured on Ecuadorian national TV to discuss the critical issue of suicide prevention. 📺💙 This opportunity allowed us to raise awareness on a national platform and spread vital mental health messages across the country. Sadly, suicide rates are increasing in Ecuador, with individuals who have lower levels of education being at a higher risk. This aligns with the population that Vida Plena is dedicated to serving—those who often face the most barriers to mental health support. The ripple effects of suicide are profound, deeply impacting families, communities, and society at large. A huge thanks to Comunicandes for their collaboration in helping us get the word out and raise awareness. We’re committed to continuing our work to reduce stigma, offer support, and ensure that no one faces these challenges alone. 💙 Here's the link to watch the interview (in Spanish): https://lnkd.in/eqvra96z #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #VidaPlena #BreakingTheStigma #SupportAndCare #Ecuador #MentalHealthMatters #Comunicandes

We are deeply moved by this powerful reflection from one of our participants: "I've loved this space, I hope that we can stay friends, this group has become like a family, so I hope to continue to see one another." 💙 At Vida Plena, we firmly believe that the power of community and shared experiences is at the heart of personal growth and healing. The sense of connection and support within our groups transforms them into more than just therapeutic spaces—they become a place of belonging, understanding, and solidarity. This sentiment perfectly captures the essence of what we strive for in every group session: a safe and welcoming space where individuals can not only address mental health challenges but also build lasting relationships. The bonds formed in these spaces are a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of shared support. We are committed to continuing to provide these vital spaces for connection, healing, and empowerment, and we’re excited to see these relationships flourish beyond the walls of our sessions. #CommunitySupport #MentalHealth #VidaPlena #Empowerment #Healing #SupportSystems #TherapeuticCommunity #BuildingConnections

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with WARMI Imbabura, the provincial government of Imbabura! 🎉 In this collaboration, we will be training WARMI Comisiarias—women who are dedicated promoters of gender-based violence prevention and support for victims. By equipping them with the Vida Plena model, we aim to enhance their ability to make a meaningful impact in their communities. Imbabura is a semi-rural province with a vibrant indigenous Kichwa population, and we are committed to developing specialized services that cater specifically to their needs. See below to learn the Kichwa words for "psychology." We look forward to sharing more about this exciting initiative in the coming months! #Partnership #GenderBasedViolence #MentalHealth #VidaPlena #Imbabura #IndigenousCommunities

We are excited to announce our latest podcast episode in collaboration with DI'Miel Podcasts in Otavalo! 🎙️🌟 Listen here (Spanish): https://lnkd.in/eMYhaBqv In this episode, our clinical supervisor, Fausto, discusses the critical importance of mental health and how to identify symptoms of depression, such as changes in appetite, oversleeping, and more. He skillfully connects these concepts to relatable examples from pop culture, making it easier for listeners to understand and engage with mental health topics. There are many misconceptions surrounding mental health and depression in Ecuador, and this podcast is part of our essential efforts to educate the community. By raising awareness, we aim to help individuals recognize when something is wrong and encourage them to seek help. Together, we can create a more informed and supportive environment for mental well-being! #MentalHealth #Podcast #CommunityAwareness #VidaPlena #Otavalo #DepressionAwareness

We are thrilled to be featured in Revista Vistazo ! 🎉 A huge thank you to the Comunicandes team for their invaluable support in making this publicity possible. This outreach is crucial for helping more people learn about our services and the mental health support we offer. It’s exciting to explore new avenues for connecting with diverse communities across Quito. We recognize the importance of reaching out to various populations to make a meaningful impact. We look forward to seeing the results of this initiative and continuing our mission to enhance mental health awareness. #MentalHealth #CommunityOutreach #VidaPlena #RevistaEcuador #Quito #Collaboration

We are pleased to share highlights from our participation in the Advisory Council for the Mental Health Committee of the City of Quito. 🏙️💬 During this important event, we engaged in public consultations to better understand community needs and gather valuable insights. These discussions are crucial for shaping mental health initiatives that resonate with the people we serve. At Vida Plena, we are committed to fostering a collaborative approach to mental health, ensuring that community voices are heard and considered in policy-making. By working together, we aim to create effective solutions that address the challenges faced by individuals and families in Quito. Thank you to all who contributed to these insightful conversations. Together, we are paving the way for meaningful change in mental health care! 🌟🤝 #MentalHealth #CommunityEngagement #Quito #VidaPlena #Collaboration #PublicHealth