Good mental health is
the foundation of
thriving families and
communities.
You can help end the depression epidemic in Africa and globally.
OUR MISSION
StrongMinds radically expands mental health care for people with depression globally.
ABOUT USHundreds of millions of people are affected by depression, a common mental health disorder.
Untreated depression disables individuals, strains families and communities, and disrupts development.
Women and adolescents are disproportionately affected.
Our Approach
treatment
We provide free, community-based therapy to people in low-resource settings, with a primary focus on Africa to-date.
partnerships
We partner with governments and NGOs to integrate our model into existing programs and services.
Receive our latest news, impact data, and stories.
730K People
In Africa have received depression treatment from StrongMinds since 2013.
Our Impact
16%
increase in women reporting regular engagement in economic activity.
30%
increase in women who report sending their children to school regularly.
28%
increase in women who report feeling socially connected.
96%
of adolescents feel more hopeful about life.
Transforming depression treatment
A cost-effective, scalable model
“I am completely free from stress. I feel relieved, and I am motivated.” – Kassa
The epidemicCelebrating a Milestone!
Our CEO Featured in TIME100 Health
We are thrilled to announce that Sean Mayberry, the founder and CEO of StrongMinds, has been recognized in the inaugural issue of TIME100 Health, an esteemed list highlighting the foremost influencers in the health space globally.
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StrongMinds Report Reveals Climate Change is Deepening Depression in Pastoral Community in Uganda
October 15th, 2024 Kampala, Uganda – StrongMinds, a global non-profit treating depression through layperson-led interpersonal group therapy (IPT-G), released a report describing the effects of…
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StrongMinds Launches the Report: Our Climate & Our Mental Health – A Case Study from Kotido District, Uganda
StrongMinds is excited to share its newest report addressing the link between our climate and our mental health, with a special focus on the Kotido…
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Zambia’s Climate Crisis: A Severe Drought Takes its Toll on Lives, Economies, and Mental Health
Climate change is causing severe droughts in many parts of the world. Zambia is facing the worst drought in decades, causing widespread crop failures and…
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StrongMinds Helps Launch a Coalition for Scaling Mental Health
StrongMinds is proud to announce we are a founding member of the Coalition For Scaling Mental Health (CSMH) and are joining forces with three other…
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World Suicide Prevention Day: Confronting Depression and Suicide in Africa
Suicide is a major public health concern that touches individuals and families around the world. It is estimated that more than 700,000 people die from…
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Kiteezi Landslide Highlights Urgent Need for Mental Health Care in Climate Disaster Responses
On August 9, tragedy struck when a mountain of garbage collapsed in Uganda’s capital of Kampala, killing 35 people. The Kiteezi landfill has served as…
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Improving Educational Outcomes by Supporting Adolescent Mental Health
As fall approaches, students across the globe prepare for the new school year. This time of year can bring a mix of excitement, anticipation, and…
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What We Learned: Our Attendance at AIDS2024
AIDS2024, the 25th International AIDS Conference, took place in Munich, Germany, July 22-26. Nearly 15,000 people gathered in person and online to put people first…
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Media Advisory
July 18, 2024 Contact: Roger Nokes, Roger@StrongMinds.org, 732-770-9971 StrongMinds to discuss the intersection of mental health and HIV/AIDS at AIDS 2024 Organization to note impact…
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Open Source: Reflections From Over Ten Years of Treating Depression at Scale
After operating for more than 10 years and treating over 500,000 people for depression, it is fitting with StrongMinds’ mission of scaling depression treatment and…
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StrongMinds Featured in Book Providing Global Overview of Interpersonal Therapy
StrongMinds CEO Sean Mayberry discusses the implementation of Interpersonal Group Therapy (IPT-G) in Uganda and Zambia in the new book, Interpersonal Psychotherapy: A Global Reach,…
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World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day is an opportunity to shed light on the mental health challenges faced by millions of displaced individuals worldwide. Refugees often endure unimaginable…
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Addressing Male Depression to Transform Families and Communities
Depression affects millions of people worldwide, yet its impact on men remains significantly underreported and undertreated, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where the internalization of masculine…
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USAID Invests $1 Million in StrongMinds Uganda
This three-year grant represents the US Government’s first-ever investment in mental health in Uganda. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a three-year,…
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Open Source: Sharing Insights & Stories About Scaling Mental Health Treatment
Our Origin Story By Sean Mayberry StrongMinds exists to bring treatment for depression to as many people as possible. We don’t need to be the…
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TIME100 Health Highlights StrongMinds CEO Sean Mayberry
Maplewood, New Jersey – In their inaugural issue of TIME100 Health, TIME has highlighted the work of Sean Mayberry, the founder and CEO of StrongMinds,…
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How Climate Impacts Mental Health in Africa
As we enter Earth Month and rally to protect our planet, we need to recognize the profound impact climate change effects can have on mental…
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Treating Depression in Prison Populations
We have successfully implemented a pilot program in four prisons in Uganda, accounting for just 10% of the total incarcerated population. The prevalence of severe…
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StrongMinds’ Ten-Year Vision
As we celebrated our ten-year anniversary throughout 2023, StrongMinds staff and leadership came together to reflect on our achievements and to define a new globally…
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StrongMinds Reaches Half a Million People With Depression Treatment
Kampala, Uganda – Feb 28, 2024 – After ten years of work treating depression through Interpersonal Group Therapy (IPT-G), StrongMinds has provided 500,000 individuals with…
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Navigating Mental Health Challenges Amid a Cholera Outbreak in Zambia
Since October 2023, Zambia has been grappling with a major cholera outbreak that has taken the lives of more than 500 people and infected more…
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Global Advocacy for Mental Health
Putting Africa’s Mental Health Crisis on the Global Agenda StrongMinds advocates for improved financing for mental health initiatives, addressing stigma around mental health, and elevating…
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New Research: Six-Week Therapy Yields Improved Results
Since our first therapy groups commenced in 2014, we have sought to develop efficiencies in our therapy model that will allow us to reach more…
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New Partnerships Drive Geographical Expansion
StrongMinds has entered its first-ever government partnership outside of Uganda and Zambia. We recently signed an MOU with Mombasa County in Kenya to train 60…
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Are Lay Counselors the Next Frontier in Global Mental Health?
Kampala, Uganda – September 19, 2023 – Although 80% of the global population lives in low- and middle-income countries), high-income countries account for 90% of…
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Rebuilding Hope: Overcoming Depression After Devastating Floods
In July 2022, Eastern Uganda’s Mbale District was hit by a catastrophic flood, leaving a trail of ruin and destruction. Susan was just one of…
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Restoring Mental Health, Improving Livelihoods
Empowering women is essential to reducing poverty and building better economies. When women are mentally healthy, they can contribute to society, achieve financial independence, and…
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Welcoming Debate About Cost-efficiency and Impact
We appreciate the recent attention we have received around the cost-effectiveness of Group Interpersonal Therapy (IPT-G) from two highly respected organizations: Happier Lives Institute and…
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Ten Years of Investing in Mental Health at StrongMinds is Accelerating Global SDG Progress
Kampala, Uganda, February 21, 2023 – Mental healthcare is critical to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 2023 marks the halfway point for reaching…
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StrongMinds Declared 2nd Annual Anthem Award Winner
The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) announced StrongMinds as a winner in two categories for the 2nd Annual Anthem Awards on February 15, 2023….
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Responding to Climate Disasters and Disease Outbreaks
Climate-related environmental disasters and infectious disease outbreaks are increasingly affecting mental health in Africa. Safety concerns and loss of life, property, or livelihoods can trigger…
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Big Win for Mental Health in Uganda’s Schools
When 16-year-old Gabriele first entered Uganda as a South Sudanese refugee, he never imagined he’d soon be traveling to Kampala to lobby Parliament and Ministry…
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The Future of Mental Health Care Might Lie Beyond Psychiatry
Poor countries are developing a new paradigm of mental health care. America is taking note. This is what the future of mental health could look…
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Barriers to Mental Health Care in Africa
Published by Meenakshi Dalal, Media Relations Officer at WHO Regional Office for Africa Kampala – Poor access to mental health care in many African countries…
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StrongMinds Uganda Celebrates World Mental Health Day
StrongMinds Uganda teams observed World Mental Health Day with several outreach and visibility events throughout October. Kalerwe Market served as the first mobilization site due…
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Sean Mayberry, Founder and CEO of StrongMinds, Awarded the 2022 Honorary Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health
Sean Mayberry was selected as the winner of the Honorary 2022 Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health, awarded by The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation….
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StrongMinds Uganda and Ministry of Education Join Forces to Prioritize Adolescent Mental Health in Schools
Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) circulated guidelines instructing all academic institutions to implement mental health programming in schools on October 5. The milestone…
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Prossy’s Story of Depression Recovery in Northern Uganda
Prossy is a 30-year-old South Sudanese woman who fled to Uganda with her four children to escape the civil war at home. Her husband had…
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StrongMinds Raises Suicide Awareness on 93.1 Capital FM
By Capital FM News Reporter Kidandi Moses Experts have warned of an urgent need to address growing depression cases across the country, especially in local…
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Pamela’s Story: Treating Depression in Refugee Settings
33-year-old Pamela resides in a small village within Lamwo District, Northern Uganda. As a busy mom attempting to manage long-standing medical issues, her days are…
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Why Does Mental Health in Africa Matter?
by Rasa Dawson, Chief Development and Communications Officer at StrongMinds Published on the OECD Forum Network’s blog Over the past few years, the impact of…
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Educator Training Pilot Benefits Students and Teachers in Uganda
In 2021, StrongMinds launched an educator training pilot to explore the potential of instructing teachers to lead group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) sessions for adolescent students…
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Harriet’s Story: From Client to Mental Health Facilitator
Before Harriet joined StrongMinds’ therapy group in 2017, her life was filled with pain and difficulty. As a single mother of twins, relying on her…
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Fueling our work through technology
Building on our successes scaling through teletherapy during the pandemic, StrongMinds has now integrated phone-based technology throughout our operations, enhancing our ability to identify and…
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Ultra cyclist Jack Thompson’s feat to raise awareness of mental health
In 2022, Australian endurance athlete Jack Thompson will ride 1 million meters of elevation – two and a half times the height of the International…
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WHO Report: Pandemic triggers 25% spike in depression and anxiety
A new scientific brief from the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global prevalence of anxiety…
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How Elizabeth transformed her grief into a mission to help others
Elizabeth (47) lives in Lusaka and is among our first cohort of Peer Facilitators in Zambia. When she joined a StrongMinds therapy group in 2019,…
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Designer Clio Goldbrenner Launches New line of Bags to Benefit StrongMinds
Belgian designer Clio Goldbrenner has partnered with StrongMinds and EPIC to launch a new bag collection in support of mental health for women in sub-Saharan Africa. The…
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Remembering our friend and colleague, Hope Busingye
With deep sorrow, the StrongMinds team mourns the loss of Hope Busingye, who passed away on September 18th, 2021. Hope was one of the first…
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Half a million people in Africa reached through our innovative depression treatment
StrongMinds has reached a new milestone: we have now treated depression in more than 100,000 women and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa and changed the lives…
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4 facts you didn’t know about mental health in Africa
In an article for the World Economic Forum’s Agenda blog, Sean Mayberry writes about the urgent need for depression treatment among women in sub-Saharan Africa,…
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StrongMinds to join Chat for Impact Accelerator
The Chat for Impact Summit, powered by WhatsApp, has named StrongMinds as one of ten 10 social justice organizations to join Impact Accelerator. Winners were…
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Treating Depression in Adolescents in Zambia during COVID-19
When life doesn’t go as planned, adjusting to new circumstances can be difficult. In some cases, it can lead to anxiety and depression. Clara, *…
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Christina’s Story of Depression Recovery in a Refugee Settlement
Christina lives in a refugee settlement in northeastern Uganda. At 28-years old, she has already endured a lifetime of instability. When her family fled Sudan,…
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VIDEO: Triggers of Depression – Grief
GRIEF When we lose someone we love, it can really hurt. This is normal. But when pain fails to subside over time, it can be…
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VIDEO: Triggers of Depression – Life Changes
LIFE CHANGES When life doesn’t go as planned, it can really hurt. Sometimes, it can even trigger depression. Check out the first video in our…
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StrongMinds mourns the passing of John Mayeya
StrongMinds mourns the loss of a dear friend and supporter in Zambia, John Mayeya, who passed away this weekend from COVID-19. John was the Director…
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PRESS RELEASE: COVID-19 and Mental Health in Africa
NEW REPORT SHOWS HOUSEHOLD DISTRESS IS ON THE RISE IN UGANDA AND ZAMBIA DUE TO PANDEMIC KAMPALA, UGANDA – The COVID-19 pandemic is triggering an…
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Providing mental health support to those affected by COVID-19 in Africa
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to disrupt life around the world, the toll on our mental health is enormous. At a time when there are…
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StrongMinds Founder Sean Mayberry Talks to Great.com About Africa’s Most Debilitating Illness
“In many African families, it’s really the woman who is the backbone of that household. When she is strong, the family thrives. When she is…
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Recovering From a Childhood Filled with Grief and Trauma
A period of grief is normal after the loss of a loved one. But when the grief fails to eventually subside or is compounded by…
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Mary’s Recovery from her “Downward Spiral into Darkness”
In some villages in Zambia, it is considered tradition to inherit a marriage after the death of a sibling or cousin, regardless of your age….
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Deborah’s Story
Meet Deborah, a 34-year old widow and mother living with HIV. She lost her husband six years ago and is caring for his many orphaned…
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Profiles in Adolescent Depression Recovery
Meet Doreen & Jaffar Doreen carries herself confidently, her smile as striking as the bright green dress she wears for her school uniform. But there…
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Joan’s Story
Joan, 31, is the mother of three girls and the “house mother” for eight boys, at a boarding school for kids abandoned on the streets…
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StrongMinds Officially Expands into Zambia
StrongMinds is pleased to announce we have expanded our mental health services to Zambia. Working closely with Zambia’s Ministry of Health and other partners, we…
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StrongMinds Mourns the Loss of Medi Ssengooba
In December, the entire StrongMinds team was deeply saddened when we lost a dear friend and colleague. Medi Ssengooba, who served as a longstanding StrongMinds…
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Daughter Shares Story of Mother’s Recovery from Depression
HARVESTING HAPPINESS Afiya, 16, shares her story of her mother, Adellah’s recovery from the ‘Black Night’ of depression I remember that bright morning, waking up…
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StrongMinds featured in the Fall issue of Stanford Social Innovation Review
Ugandan women suffer from unipolar depression at twice the rate of men. StrongMinds trains mental health facilitators who lead peer-group therapy sessions for Ugandan women,…
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Meet Imani: WNBA Player and Mental Health Advocate
Imani McGee-Stafford, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player for the Atlanta Dream and a mental health advocate, joined StrongMinds in honoring of Mental Health Awareness Month…
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Our New Mini-Documentary
StrongMinds: Treating Depression at Scale in Africa [vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=IBxWCPEoJpY” align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section][vc_column_text] The 8-minute video goes into depth about StrongMinds’ work treating women with depression in Uganda…
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Mental Health Still Grossly Underfunded but There Are Glimmers of Hope
By David J. Olson @davidjolson The problem with mental health and substance abuse in Africa and other developing countries is not that awareness has not…
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The Guide to Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Dr. Myrna Weissman, a member of the StrongMinds Advisory Board, recently released an updated and expanded edition of her book, The Guide to Interpersonal Psychotherapy. StrongMinds’…
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Meet Rashidah: One of the 25,000 Women Treated
[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/7yqYjzQ7n8g” align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Watch as Rashidah shares her story about going from feeling hopeless and suicidal to having the confidence to start her own small…
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StrongMinds Therapy Group: “Together We Can”
Every Monday afternoon for the past six weeks, a group of 12 women have met on a neighbor’s porch. The StrongMinds Therapy Group, which selected…
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Why Depression in Africa?
Depression is the leading cause of disability globally. More than 25% African women are suffering from depression and 85% have no access to mental health…
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StrongMinds Featured in SoMa Living Magazine
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10 Solvers selected @ MIT Solve’s Brain Health Challenge
Winners of the 2017 Brain Health Challenge by MIT Solve, selected on September 17th, 2017 By: Alvaro Fernandez Yesterday, after a day of great pitches and…
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StrongMinds’ Solution Selected at MIT’s Solve
Solve is Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) initiative to bring together problem-solvers to tackle the world’s most pressing problems through open innovation and partnership. Over…
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Maplewood’s StrongMinds to Pitch at MIT’s ‘Solve Initiative’
From The Village Green of Maplewood and South Orange The following is from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT’s new Solve initiative recently announced the finalists…
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StrongMinds: Treating Depression in Uganda
By Marc Gunther of Nonprofit Chronicles. Uganda has about 30 psychiatrists. New York City and its suburbs have about 41,000. So depression in Uganda can’t be treated…
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Global Mental Health Funding
In April 2017, the Institute for Health Metrics & Evaluation at the University of Washington released its seminal annual report on development funding for health…
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From Group Member to Peer Facilitator: Nusura
Nusura is a 41 year-old mother of five children, she lives in Naguru Village, in Uganda’s Kampala district. For Nusura, life has not been easy….
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StrongMinds Uganda Featured on NTVUganda
View the video of StrongMinds Uganda’s Program Manager, Daniel Owor Onyanya, being interviewed for a news piece on NTVUganda about StrongMinds work treating depression. (The StrongMinds…
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World Health Day 2017
On Friday, April 7, 2017, StrongMinds marked World Health Day at the World Health Organization’s event at the United Nations in New York City….
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Official Launch of StrongMinds Uganda in Iganga
On March 23, 2017, the StrongMinds Uganda (SMU) team officially launched its efforts in Iganga District, which is in the Eastern Region of the…
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StrongMinds Uganda Retreat
The StrongMinds Uganda team held a retreat December 19-21, 2016. The entire team of 47 personnel attended the two-day workshop, held in a serene environment…
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Winter 2016 Newsletter
StrongMinds is ending the depression epidemic in Africa. 10,000 Women Helped in 3 Years Click on the link above to read our Winter 2016 newsletter.
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Mental Health Awareness Day in Uganda
On Friday, November 25, the StrongMinds Uganda team joined the Ministry of Health to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Day in Kampala. The…
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Fall 2016 Newsletter
As we move into the start of the last sessions of StrongMinds Therapy Groups for 2016 in Uganda, we wanted to share a few updates…
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mhNOW Press Release
Global and community leaders announce mhNOW initiative will engage 30 cities by 2030 to close the mental health gap Multi-stakeholder Commitment to Action announced by private,…
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Smiling Once Again: Sophia
MEET SOPHIA, a 45-year-old single mother of six children in Kampala, Uganda. Years of prostitution triggered a deep and severe depression for Sophia. Her life…
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Solving the Depression Epidemic in Africa | Sean Mayberry | TEDxCulverCity
Global healthcare advocate and activist, Sean Mayberry addresses a silent epidemic affecting hundreds of millions Africans, Depression. In a society that attaches stigma to mental…
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Depression in Developing Countries
BY SREEJA KODALI for YALE GLOBAL HEALTH REVIEW Worldwide Prevalence of Diagnosed Clinical Depression. Source: Max Fisher, Washington Post In his book The Noonday Demon:…
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Get Happy, Get Rich: The Relationship Between Depression and Poverty
Originally published by Foreign Affairs on April 21, 2015. By: Catherine Thomas and Johannes Haushofer Depression, which the World Health Organization calls “the leading cause…
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Healing Liberia’s psychological scars after civil war
Click to view the video from PBS NEWSHOUR, which features StrongMinds.
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