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 health. Extreme weather events and natural disasters can cause displacement and resource scarcity, as well as infectious disease outbreaks, as seen in Zambia earlier this year when the country experienced…
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 mental health disorders among prisoners can be five to 10 times higher than in the general population, with nearly half suffering from depression. In 2023 we set a goal to…
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 focused vision and mission to guide us through the next ten years. Below is an excerpt from our ten-year vision statement. In our first decade of operation (2013-2023), StrongMinds proved…
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 treatment. As depression is the leading cause of disability world-wide and 75 percent of people in low- and middle-income countries do not receive treatment for their depression, this milestone is…
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 than 13,000, leading the government to close down schools and universities until February 12th, 2024. To address the growing need for medical support, a soccer stadium in Lusaka has been…
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 the voices of people with lived depression experience globally. Recently, we had the opportunity to advance these goals at three key summits. UN General Assembly At the UN General Assembly…
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 people with depression faster. Over the years, we have consistently heard from clients that attendance requirements for lengthy therapy cycles can interfere with income-producing work and childcare responsibilities. In response,…
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 community health workers to deliver our IPT-G model. This achievement is the culmination of our growing Global Partnerships Program, which served nearly 8,000 people with depression in Ethiopia, Kenya, and…
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 global mental health resources (WHO, 2005). Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and it is estimated that at least 20% of women in Africa experience depressive disorders, and 85%…
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 many who lost her home in the deluge as the bursting banks of the neighboring rivers Nabuyonga and Namatala overwhelmed the area. What’s more, Susan’s husband could not work after…