Zambia

StrongMinds is providing scalable, community- and school-based solutions to close the mental health treatment gap in Zambia.

StrongMinds Zambia has rapidly grown since beginning operations in 2019, building on the proven success of its group talk therapy model in Uganda. By adapting Interpersonal Group Therapy (IPT-G) to local contexts, StrongMinds has earned trust, expanded reach, and become a key partner in addressing the country’s urgent mental health needs. Early support from the Ministry of Health and strong engagement with community and faith leaders enabled the organization to begin providing care within months, overcoming skepticism toward NGOs and laying the foundation for long-term impact.

SCALING COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTHCARE IN ZAMBIA

Building Trust

StrongMinds introduced Interpersonal Group Therapy (IPT-G) in Zambia in 2019 at the invitation of the Ministry of Health, which pledged support and placed its Chief Mental Health Officer on the StrongMinds Zambia Board. This government backing helped identify priority areas, engage volunteers, and build community credibility.

Within three months, therapy groups were operating, with trust reinforced through local partnerships. Church volunteers played a central role in early outreach: as trusted community hubs, they hosted early meetings and helped spread awareness. StrongMinds’ deployment of Zambian staff proficient in local languages further deepened acceptance and legitimacy.

Learning and Adapting to Treat More People

StrongMinds continuously refines its model to reach more people at lower cost. In Zambia—over time—therapy cycles were reduced from ten to six weeks, maintaining effectiveness while improving completion rates.

Initially, therapy groups were led by StrongMinds staff. Gradually, this shifted to community volunteers (usually former therapy group participants) leading groups. StrongMinds’ data showed that these peer facilitators with lived depression experience are highly effective at building trust and achieving clinically significant improvements in depression symptoms for their group members. Programming and visual tools were adapted for adolescents and local languages, ensuring cultural relevance.

These innovations and adaptations ensure the flexibility and durability of the the IPT-G model in Zambian contexts.

WORKING ACROSS GOVERNMENT SECTORS

Partnerships with government ministries are central to StrongMinds Zambia’s sustainability strategy.

Ministry of Health

From the outset, StrongMinds has partnered with the Ministry of Health to embed depression care into community health structures. Community Health Workers (CHWs), already integrated into Ministry programs, are trained to facilitate therapy groups, while Ministry staff are equipped to supervise them. This layered structure is central to StrongMinds’ low-cost, sustainable model. In Kabwe District, StrongMinds is supporting authorities to establish local capacity for depression treatment with limited external input. At the national level, StrongMinds contributes data to the health system, strengthens policy development, and participates actively in the National Mental Health Technical Working Group.

Ministry of Education

Building on its work with community health workers, StrongMinds now partners with the Ministry of Education to expand mental health care in schools. The Ministry has authorized StrongMinds to operate nationally, and together we are testing the most effective models for scale—whether through peers, guidance counselors, or other approaches. This collaboration is positioning mental health support as an integral part of student well-being and academic success.

Ministry of Community Development and Social Services

In 2025, StrongMinds partnered with the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to integrate depression care into Community Welfare Assistance Committees (CWACs). These voluntary, community-based groups support the most vulnerable. By embedding group therapy within their activities, StrongMinds and the Ministry are ensuring that mental health care is available alongside other essential social protection services.

THE VISION FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Mental Health Care Fully Integrated into Existing Government Structures

Through close partnerships with the government, trusted community structures, and continuous adaptation, StrongMinds Zambia is demonstrating that depression treatment can be delivered at scale, sustainably, and at low cost. Together with the Ministries of Health, Education, and Community Development, Zambia now has a clear pathway to integrate mental health care into national systems—ensuring lasting impact for millions of people.

“DREAMS has taught me that failure is not the alternative to success but rather that everyone encounters failures at some point in life, but what truly matters is how you learn and react to failure.” – Julia, 17

“My life is not the same now. I now have an insatiable appetite for the things I never used to. I am now in grade 11, working hard to score 6 points in grade 12 and become a lawyer or a pilot. I am indeed a living testimony of group therapy.” – Olipa, 16