Elizabeth Kasujja’s Post

Mental health conditions in Africa have been historically neglected, leading to substantial disability and exclusion, preventing many from fully contributing to their communities and economies. Structural barriers such as poor health infrastructure, low coverage of health services, and a shortage of trained professionals, coupled with outdated legal frameworks and stigma, perpetuate this cycle of mental ill-health, poverty, and marginalization. Unfortunately, Africa lags behind other regions in achieving WHO objectives for mental health, with government spending and development assistance inadequate to address these challenges effectively. We are delighted to introduce Onesmus Kalama, an Independent Global Health Consultant with a distinguished career in adolescent wellbeing and data-driven interventions. He will deliver a keynote speech at the upcoming summit titled "Beyond the Surface: Unveiling Adolescent Mental Health Through Data." Join us to explore innovative approaches to addressing mental health challenges facing adolescents, and to learn how data can transform mental health care. To register or secure your ticket contact partnership@yidpk.org #MentalHealthAwareness #AdolescentWellbeing #DataDrivenInterventions #YIDPMentalHealthSummit #MentalHealthInAfrica #GlobalHealthConsultant #4youthbyyouth #Innovatingmind

As someone deeply involved in mental health research in Pakistan, I’ve learned that progress is a series of small, meaningful steps rather than quick solutions. That's what I'm reflecting on today for World Mental Health Day 2024. Having worked with Sindh Human Rights Commission, Sindh Integrated Emergency & Health Services Legal Aid Society - Pakistan, Mental Health Innovation Network (MHIN), and Youth Policy Lab. Here’s what the journey looks like so far: Successes 🔑 💡 Raised awareness about mental health stigma, particularly around suicide in Pakistan (the reception was far more impressive than I expected).   🌱 Engaged with incredible organizations that are working to bridge the mental health care gap; Taskeen, Savaira, IRD, and Saving 9 - all doing wonderful work! 🔍 Collected data to better understand gendered barriers to seeking help, which will (hopefully) inform more targeted interventions.  Challenges 🚧  🧠 Stigma remains: Despite the progress, mental health stigma continues to be a huge barrier (my thesis was about this! e-mail if you'd like to read!)  🏥 Limited resources: Mental health services in Pakistan are still woefully underfunded and underdeveloped.   📊 Data poverty: Without reliable data, creating effective policies is nearly impossible. We need better data systems to make a real impact.  But, we push forward. Mental health deserves a place in our national conversation, not just today, but every day. 🔄 🌍 🛠️ ❤️ 📢 It’s going to take sustained effort, collaboration, and innovation.🤝 Let's keep the conversation going, and let's keep working for a future where mental health care is accessible and stigma-free for all. #worldmentalhealthday #mentalhealthresearch #mentalhealthpakistan #mentalhealthstigma #dataforchange #researchforimpact

"Mental illness in Cameroon is often misunderstood and stigmatized, with witchcraft blamed when someone lives with a mental health condition. There is little data on the scale of mental illness in the country, and a shortage of relevant health professionals leaves many people undiagnosed and without treatment." says theguardian.org blog. We need to start paying attention to Mental Health by raising awareness and investing more in this, according to the World Health Organization, in 2020 there were only 12 psychiatrists, 300 psychologists and 150 mental health nurses in Cameroon, a country of 28 million people. It is time for us all to Act on #NCDs Read more of this article here: https://lnkd.in/e5u9b4nk #ActonNCDs #Mentalhealthawareness NCD Alliance Global Health Advocacy Incubator Guardant Health Global Health System CAMEROUN MINSANTE/SDLMCNT Value Health Africa Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA) Ferdinant M. Sonyuy

To the people of Nigeria and across Africa, World Health Day serves as a poignant reminder of the crucial role that mental health plays in our lives. Recognizing and addressing mental health is paramount, not just for individual well-being, but also for the strength and resilience of communities and nations. The WHO highlights the need for inclusive health promotion that acknowledges mental health as a state where individuals realize their potential, manage life’s stresses, and contribute to their community, indicating that mental health is integral to overall health and societal development. In Nigeria, efforts to increase awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues are vital. The South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) exemplifies such work, leading campaigns to educate the public and foster supportive environments for those with mental health conditions. With focused campaigns throughout the year, they aim to ensure mental health matters are part of the public discourse, working tirelessly to break down the barriers of stigma and discrimination. For Africa as a whole, addressing health inequities is essential. Every individual should have access to comprehensive health services without suffering financial hardship. Collaborative efforts from all sectors, including health, education, and community partnerships, are necessary to fully realize the right to health. It is through concerted, widespread education and action that we can move towards a future where mental well-being is secured and stigma is eradicated. Let's use the commemoration of World Health Day to renew our commitment to mental health advocacy, education, and the provision of comprehensive care. Happy Belated World Health Day! #WorldHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters #Wellbeing #CognitiveTherapies #EndTheStigma #HealthForAll #MentalHealthAwareness #HealthyMind #GlobalHealth #PreventionIsKey #SupportMentalHealth #HealthEquity #CognitiveTherapyWorks #BreakTheSilence

A step in the right direction! A step closer towards closing the existing mental health treatment gap #mentalhealthadvocacy #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealth

🌟 Shamiri Institute is proud to be a founding member of the Coalition for Scaling Mental Health (CSMH) that is bringing together frontline implementers committed to closing the mental health treatment gap! 🌟 While the global mental health movement has made significant strides over the last two decades, the treatment gap persists, particularly in the under-resourced settings where we work. We believe that is mostly due to a lack of practical knowledge on how to scale effective interventions worldwide. We are betting that this coalition will change this. The inception of CSMH was born out of a serendipitous encounter between the founders of ▶ Friendship Bench Zimbabwe: Provides sustainable community-based psychological interventions that are evidence-based, accessible and scalable ▶ Shamiri Institute: Trains high-school graduates to deliver group-based therapy across Kenyan schools ▶ StrongMinds: Treats depression in low-income women and adolescents by providing group interpersonal therapy (IPT-G), delivered by lay community health workers ▶ Ubuntu Center for Peace: Implements a community-based psychosocial healing model to address trauma and common mental health conditions 👉 We believe that the success of this coalition hinges on collective action. That is why we are inviting other implementing organizations as well as individuals, policymakers, user groups, funders, and academics who share our vision to join us on this crucial endeavor by filling out this brief form 🔗 https://bit.ly/4akp5xl Together, we can bridge the treatment gap, democratize mental health care, and foster resilient, thriving communities worldwide. 🙌 #Mentalhealthcare #Coalitionforscalingmentalhealth

#MentalHealthCare is essential. The project Safeguarding the Rights of Populations at Risk of Ill Mental Health in Guyana is leading the way in ensuring that local communities get the support they deserve. Gatekeepers - local health care workers, civil society leaders and religious figures - are trained to identify mental health issues, provide immediate support, and connect people with the services they need.     Shanna, a dedicated gatekeeper from the Mabaruma region, recalls the transformative experience and insight she gained into #SuicidePrevention: “It gave me a better view on suicide...being here helped me understand suicide fully and ways and (sic) how we can combat it,” she explains. “Suicide has never occurred in my community, and I want to go back and educate and teach them so that it would never occur in my community.” Empowered by her new-found knowledge, Shanna has become a vital resource and mental health advocate in her community. She says, “I plan to educate [my community] on what I have learned here today and start implementing small strategies so that [suicide] can never happen. They can be well educated and aware like I am today.”     Together, IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation) and Canada continue to support mental health care in Guyana by building local capacity and engaging community members. As a result, the project has successfully trained over 700 community members like Shanna. Together, we can fight stigma and prioritize mental health for all!     📸 Anand Ally / IDRF      #CommunityCare | #GenderEquality | #MentalHealth | #MentalHealthNow | #MentalHealthForAll | #MentalHealthAwareness | #WorldMentalHealthDay

Our team members, Anamta Ghur and Banafsha Ali presented at the Rural Mental Health Conference 2024. The theme for this year’s conference was “Empowering Rural Communities: From Crisis to Wellbeing Initiatives” where they presented 4 posters: 1. Community-Based Health Screening and Referral for Trauma, Depression, and Anxiety among Flood-Affectees in Rural High-Risk Districts, Pakistan 2. Dareecha: Contextually Adapted and Evidence-Informed Zero Suicide Implementation Approach for Risk Reduction among Adolescents in Schools of Ghizer District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan 3. Employing Telehealth Model to Deliver Mental Health Services to Underserved Rural High-Risk Communities of Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan 4.Dareecha: Community Mobilization for Adolescent Suicide Prevention: Application of Arts-Based Intervention - Awareness, Agency and Motivation in Gilgit Baltistan RMHC 2024 by Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association Inc. brought together a diverse set of people from mental health professionals to policy makers and people with lived experiences to connect with each other. The platform encouraged the exchange of adaptable mental health initiatives to bring effective change within their communities. #PHCGlobal #PHCG #improvinglives #Dareecha #SuicidePrevention #SouthAsia #MentalHealth #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #PreventSuicide #HealthcareAdvocacy #ZeroSuicide #Conference #RMHC

Let’s Prioritize Mental Health in Kenya With the rollout of SHIF, we have a unique opportunity to revolutionize healthcare in Kenya. One crucial area that often gets overlooked is mental health. Currently, counseling services remain a luxury, accessible primarily to the privileged. This leaves many Kenyans, especially those from marginalized communities, to grapple with mental health issues without adequate support. The result being a nation burdened by stigma and a lack of access to essential care. It’s time to change this. By advocating for the integration of counseling services into every healthcare facility, we can ensure that mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health. Government Commitment: The government should prioritize mental health by allocating sufficient resources to hire qualified psychological counselors for each facility. Insurance Coverage: Mental health services should be covered by SHIF, making them accessible to a wider population. Cultural Sensitivity: Mental health interventions should be culturally appropriate and respectful of diverse beliefs and practices. Let's work together to build a Kenya where mental health is a priority for all. Nivishe Mental Health Fellowship Mercy Mwania Amb. Maryben Omollo Bridget Gakii Maina Wangui Mind Haven Ke #mentalhealth #healthcare #wellbeing

🧠 Championing Mental Health in Tanzania 🧠 The Tanzania National Audit Office's March 2024 report https://lght.ly/27cj5ml sheds light on the critical challenges Tanzania faces in mental health care—from ineffective evaluation to severe resource shortages. At TAHMEF, we're tackling these problems head-on by offering cutting-edge digital services that aim to increase accessibility to mental health care. We're not just talking about mental health; we're building an ideal culture-sensitive mental healthcare system. Our goal? Promoting equitable access to quality mental health services through building and providing stigma-free care. Through our flagship product AHADI Mental Healthcare App we are addressing the pressing need for accessible and stigma-free mental health care and support. Revamping the way Tanzanian youth access mental healthcare. Want to know more about our work? Check us out www.tahmef.org #TAHMEF #AhadiApp #HealthTech #MentalHealth #Telecounseling #Tanzania