Stories of Impact Beyond the Numbers: Real Lives Transformed Through Therapy in 2024
Behind every statistic lies a human story—a life transformed and a spark of hope reignited. At StrongMinds, we’re incredibly proud of our numbers: we’re on track to exceed 335,000 people treated for depression this year alone. But the true impact of our work isn’t found in spreadsheets; it’s in the lives we’ve touched.
This year, we’ve witnessed extraordinary resilience as the people we treated faced challenges like economic hardship, loss of loved ones, and unprecedented extreme weather events. Here are some of their testimonials—stories of hope, courage, and the profound difference mental health care can make.
Gertrude (Zambia): A Journey of Reconnection and Hope
Gertrude, a 51-year-old mother of six, lost her husband, and with it, her zest for life. “Despite some challenges we faced, our love would always help us overcome them,” she reflected.
Gertrude felt overwhelmed at the prospect of raising the children alone. She not only lost a lot of weight, but she began to feel like she was losing her mind. “I even reached a point of being called mad by the community members because I would move around aimlessly,” she said.
As she spiraled further into depression, she lost contact with one of her daughters and two grandchildren. For six years, they had no contact and her situation continued to worsen. “I started failing to eat, [to] sleep, and I even became so forgetful.”
Joining a StrongMinds therapy group helped pull Gertrude out of the negative feedback loop she had been living in. She shared her struggles with other women who offered empathy and understanding, helping her rediscover hope and rebuild her sense of purpose.
In therapy groups, women give each other practical advice to help each other overcome their challenges, and for Gertrude, this advice meant that she could successfully trace her daughter and grandchildren via social media, locating them in Mozambique. “I got in touch with them and they were so excited to hear from me and even attested to the fact that they sensed so much change.”
Eager to see her mother, Gertrude’s daughter sent her money so she could visit them. “I began to see so much positivity in my life,” Gertrude said. “My heart [is filled] with so much joy. I am so grateful to StrongMinds […] because they really saved my life and restored my joy.”
Lirato (Zambia): Overcoming the Emotional Toll of Climate Change
Climate change is causing a severe drought in Zambia this year, causing widespread crop failures and crippling the country’s infrastructure, which relies on hydroelectric power.
For Lirato, a 14-year-old girl in the Ngombe community of Lusaka, the drought has affected every facet of her life. Her parents’ once thriving farm is now littered with brittle stalks of dead crops and the well near their home no longer fulfills their daily needs. Lirato’s family lost not only their harvest but also their only source of income as her father’s workplace temporarily closed months ago due to a lack of electricity. It has yet to reopen. After months of no income, no crops, and rising food and water prices, Lirato’s family faces food scarcity every day and they now mostly live on watery porridge.
Without electricity, Lirato can no longer study and her school performance has suffered, along with her concentration—with water in such short supply, baths are limited, and she said her skin feels constantly itchy, dry, and dirty. She shared that her dreams of graduating have begun to fade.
When the compounding stressors of the drought left Lirato feeling hopeless and disconnected from the world, she joined a StrongMinds therapy group in her school to address her depressive symptoms. Through therapy, she found comfort in connecting with other students who faced similar challenges in the wake of the drought. She learned valuable skills to cope with the sudden change in her life and worked to normalize her feelings. While the drought continues, Lirato is working to adapt to her circumstances and move her life forward in spite of her challenges.
Janet (Uganda): Finding Strength in Community
At only 32 years old, Janet has endured immense loss and ongoing health challenges. Two years ago, she lost her husband and all three of her children to HIV, plunging her into grief and despair. Following this heartbreaking loss, Janet was diagnosed with HIV and cervical cancer.
When she joined a StrongMinds therapy group, she found a supportive community that helped her feel less isolated. Through therapy, she built meaningful relationships and gained the strength to confront her grief and stress, finding hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Although Janet had to move from Mbarara to Kampala for daily treatment, the support she received in therapy will continue to help her navigate the challenges ahead and maintain hope as she focuses on her healing and her future.
Chisha (Zambia): Healing from Loss
Chisha, a 13-year-old boy, was struggling with depression without realizing it—until he was screened by the StrongMinds team conducting therapy sessions at his school.
Chisha’s depression began when he lost his best friend. “I felt terrible after his death,” he said. The two were inseparable, spending nearly all their time together. His friend’s death caused such deep pain that Chisha withdrew from others, lost interest in activities, and was often sad, feeling like life was unfair and meaningless.
Thankfully, Chisha received help just as he considered dropping out of school because his depression symptoms had become so severe. The mental health facilitator and group members helped him process his grief, encouraging him to stay strong and look forward to a brighter future, while also showing him how to channel his emotions in healthier ways.
“After joining therapy, I realized I could make new friends, focus better on my schoolwork and household tasks, and enjoy the things I once loved,” Chisha shared. “I no longer feel sad or blame myself for my friend’s death. StrongMinds has taught me skills to accept my situation, giving me peace of mind. Thank you, StrongMinds.”
Maureen (Uganda): Overcoming Postpartum Depression
Married and expecting her first child, 29-year-old Maureen was overjoyed. Despite experiencing high blood pressure during her pregnancy, her overall health remained stable.
However, during the delivery, her blood pressure skyrocketed and her medical team fought to save her life. “The doctors handed me a motionless baby,” she reflected. “They told me that they couldn’t save both of us and so they saved me.”
This devastating loss sent Maureen spiraling into postpartum depression amidst her grief, guilt, and self-blame. Countless sleepless nights were spent in tears, and she began to isolate herself from her support network and started to avoid work.
In therapy, Maureen found a haven of support, where the women encouraged her to open up about her grief and pain. Surrounded by understanding and compassion, she was finally able to mourn her child and begin to process the loss her grief had not allowed her to accept. “I feel much better now,” Maureen shared. “I am functioning at a higher level. I understand it was a painful loss for my husband and me, but I can’t blame myself for it.”
While recovering from postpartum depression is not easy, Maureen’s story is a reminder of the life-changing impact therapy can have on recovery and renewal.
Catherine (Zambia): Balancing Caregiving and Educating
Catherine, a 15-year-old from Lusaka, faced overwhelming challenges when her mother suffered a stroke, leaving Catherine and her sister to care for her. With little support from their father and extended family, Catherine struggled to balance her education with the responsibility of providing food and care for her mother. In addition to the emotional toll, Catherine often found herself forgetting tasks and feeling drained.
After joining a StrongMinds therapy group, Catherine gained valuable insights into depression and its triggers. Through group therapy, she learned how to cope with sadness, manage her emotions, and improve her memory.
“I have learned to accept the situation and stay strong,” she shared. Her school performance also improved, even though Catherine and her sister remain the primary caregivers for their family.
Despite everything, Catherine remains determined. She is now focused on her education, hoping to improve her family’s situation and build a better future for all of them. With the support of her group, Catherine said she can stay strong and is able to draw courage and encouragement from her fellow group members.
Hildah (Zambia): Rebuilding a Life After Loss
Three years ago, Hildah thought her life couldn’t be better, but after her husband left her and withdrew all forms of support for her and their children, she felt bewildered and lost. She struggled to feed and provide basic needs for the family. Some of her children even had to drop out of school to help her with daily tasks so they could get by.
After learning of her husband’s death and discovering that he had sold a huge portion of their land to someone else, Hildah was crippled by depression.
In therapy, she shared her grief and anger and received empathy and compassion. The other women helped Hildah accept the loss of her husband and land and gave her practical advice to plan for the future. “They normalized my feelings and tasked me to think of ways to improve my life,” she said.
Women in the group introduced her to a village banking venture, allowing Hildah to start a small business selling fritters and vegetables. “Through therapy, my relationship with others, including my children, has started improving and I have started doing business,” she said. “[I am] feeling hopeful about the future.”
Because of therapy, Hildah unlocked her economic potential and now has control over her future.
Beauty (Zambia): A Journey to Confidence and Self-Worth
Beauty, a 13-year-old student, lives with her parents, who face financial difficulties. Her life changed when her father lost his job, and her aunt, who had supported her dream of becoming a doctor, passed away from an illness.
“Life was no longer as good as it used to be. Things became difficult for my family, and I was deeply affected by the loss of my aunt, who had been a great source of encouragement in my dream of becoming a doctor. Her death left me hurt and confused, especially since she had been someone I trusted and valued greatly.”
Before joining the therapy group, Beauty struggled with feelings of worthlessness and couldn’t focus on her schoolwork. After hearing about StrongMinds at school, she realized she was dealing with depression and joined the therapy group. Through the sessions, Beauty learned how to manage her emotions, let go of the past, and focus on the future.
“The program has helped me build my self-confidence and self-esteem, and I am excited about the great things I will achieve in the future.”
With support from the group and guidance from her facilitator, Beauty now feels happier, more focused, and confident about her potential and future.
Kairu (Uganda): Finding Hope and Purpose Through Therapy
Kairu, a 23-year-old man, fled his home village due to mistreatment from his father. He landed in Kampala, resulting in a downward spiral of depression, crime, and substance abuse. Struggling to adjust to city life, Kairu failed to secure a job and couldn’t put food on the table.
In his pursuit of stability, he joined a gang and turned to crime, which only deepened his depression. He found himself abusing substances to cope, further isolating him and compounding his despair. “I went into crime because I was depressed and did not know what to do. I would have been killed,” he reflected.
When a StrongMinds volunteer reached out to Kairu, they introduced him to the concept of depression. Skeptical but with little else to lose, he enrolled in a support group where he found understanding and encouragement from the other men. With a push from the group, he reconciled with his father and began the road to recovery.
Today, Kairu has transitioned from a life of crime to trading and business. He owns two clothing stores and a salon, providing him with fulfillment and the ability to provide for his family. “Now I know there is power in being in a supportive group, thanks to StrongMinds,” he said.
James (Uganda): Overcoming Family Struggles and Emotional Pain
Suicidal ideation can stem from a complex interplay of factors, including feelings of hopelessness, and people experiencing these thoughts may see suicide as the only solution to their pain or distress. For James, a 45-year-old man living in Mbarara District, Uganda, the weight of his struggles had become too much to bear. Amid high tensions at home and constant conflict with his wife, he turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism, but he reached a point where even his reliance on substances couldn’t provide a form of escape. “I [considered suicide] because I felt so tired of life,” he said.
Fortunately for James, local residents intervened and he ultimately enrolled in a StrongMinds therapy group where he began to confront the emotional turmoil he tried to repress through alcohol. In therapy, James learned that his drinking only exacerbated his emotional pain and isolation. He learned effective communication and conflict resolution skills, enabling him to address issues with his wife head-on, alleviating some of the tension at home. James found hope and purpose in his life again. He now feels empowered to handle disputes within his family and is committed to maintaining his sobriety.
