Celebrating 10 Years

Accelerating Progress Through Mental Health

2023 marks our 10th anniversary. It also marks the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda set by all United Nations members.

THE SDGs & MENTAL HEALTH

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action by all countries, providing a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. They cut across all sectors: poverty, health, education, gender, and environment. Here at StrongMinds, we know that good mental health can help us meet the SDGs. When our clients restore their mental health, they go on to become vital agents of change. They combat stigma, counsel neighbors, transform classrooms, and more.

Explore the icons below to see how mental health and each of the SDGs are linked.

MENTAL HEALTH IS CLOSELY LINKED TO POVERTY IN A VICIOUS CYCLE OF DISADVANTAGE.
FOOD INSECURITY INCREASES THE RISK OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS IN ADULTS.
MENTAL HEALTH IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF GENERAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.
MENTAL HEALTH IS VITAL FOR LEARNING, AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH.
INEQUITY AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ARE RISK FACTORS FOR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.
SOCIOECONOMIC DEPRIVATION CREATES MULTIPLE LIFE STRESSORS.
POOR ACCESS TO FACILITIES IS LINKED TO MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.
WORK PRACTICES AND ENVIRONMENTS ARE DETERMINANTS OF MENTAL HEALTH.
EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH ARE IMPORTANT PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR MENTAL HEALTH.
INEQUITABLE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT CAUSES PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS.
IMPROVED ACCESS TO WORK, EDUCATION, AND HOUSING CAN BENEFIT MENTAL HEALTH.
POOR ACCESS TO RESOURCES IS LINKED TO MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.
ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS CAUSE HUMAN SUFFERING AND CAN UNDERMINE MENTAL HEALTH.
THE AVAILABILITY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AT SEA INFLUENCES PEOPLE’S MENTAL HEALTH.
THE AVAILABILITY OF NATURAL RESOURCES ON LAND IMPACTS PEOPLE’S MENTAL HEALTH.
CONFLICT AND VIOLENCE POSE MAJOR THREATS TO MENTAL HEALTH.
MENTAL HEALTH IS A UNIVERSAL CONCERN FOR ALL.

Source: Lund et al, Lancet Psychiatry 2018
Icons: UN Communications Materials

PRESS RELEASE

Ten Years of Investing in Mental Health at StrongMinds Is Accelerating Global SDG Progress

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

StrongMinds will continue to improve the mental health of hundreds of thousands of people over the next decade. These individuals will go on to transform the mental health landscape of Africa, creating a better future for all.

“Before StrongMinds showed up in my village, I was hopeless with my two kids, scraping for what to feed them. Now I can pay my rent, send my kids to school, and at the same time, we never stay hungry because even if all the greens don’t sell, I can cook them and have a meal for us,” said former StrongMinds client, Louise.
"It is because of you that I have hope for a better future," said former StrongMinds client Gloria. "Now, I hope to help others in similar situations."
"Right now, I can proudly say I'm free from depression because even when those thoughts come through, I'm very blessed to know I have all the tools to support my return to good mental health," said former StrongMinds client, Naomi.

Thank you for joining us on this journey.