|
Vertical Divider
|
StrongMinds has treated over 500,000 women and youth in Africa. 75% have been lifted out of depression.
|
A Legacy of Impact | A New InitiativeStrongMinds began in Sub-Saharan Africa and has treated over 500,000 women and youth with depression in Uganda and Zambia. StrongMinds work in Africa represents an unprecedented increase of access to mental health services for women and youth.
Compelled by the growing need for mental health services among youth in the US, StrongMinds launched a new program branch called StrongMinds America (SMA). SMA provides culturally competent group and single session counseling in under-resourced communities. We began our work with youth living in northern New Jersey and have expanded our program to NYC. Our long-term goal is to fundamentally increase access to mental health services in all 50 states. We aim to demonstrate to the broader mental health community that innovation community-driven model of mental health services delivery - one which focuses on the unique needs and lived experiences of its beneficiaries - can create transformative results. |
A Lasting Impact in Africa
Women who complete group therapy form bonds and stay connected. They are able to recognize the signs of depression in themselves and others. They have the emotional tools they need to lift themselves out of depression, and many become healing ambassadors within their communities.
75% report being depression-free six months after group therapy
|
28% report feeling more connected to others
|
16% report an increase in work attendance
|
A Former Diplomat's Vision
StrongMinds grew from the conviction of Sean Mayberry, a former diplomat and social marketer, that mental health is often overlooked in international development, with devastating results.
While living and working in Africa for nearly a decade implementing HIV/AIDS and malaria programs, Sean saw firsthand the struggles and lack of access to treatment for those suffering from mental illness and was inspired to find a solution. In 2013, he read about the findings of a randomized controlled trial in Uganda from 2002, that had remarkable success treating depression with Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-G). The study, by researchers from Johns Hopkins University (JHU), used lay community workers with only a high school education. The idea for StrongMinds was born.
Sean left his position as the CEO of a global antipoverty organization and founded StrongMinds, concentrating in Uganda, the site of the previous randomized controlled trial. The organization was incorporated in the United States in February 2013 with no funds. Sean used his family’s savings and volunteered full-time for the first 18 months until supporters were identified.
StrongMinds was data-driven from the beginning, conducting two clinical trails to test the efficacy of the model, and continued to study and fine-tune the model as more and more women received treatment.
In 2021, compelled by the severe lack of mental health services for BIPOC youth experiencing depression, Sean and his team decided it was time for StrongMinds to leverage its deep experience expanding access to depression treatment in Africa and adapt the IPT-G model to meet the needs of youth adults in the United States.
StrongMinds America was born!
While living and working in Africa for nearly a decade implementing HIV/AIDS and malaria programs, Sean saw firsthand the struggles and lack of access to treatment for those suffering from mental illness and was inspired to find a solution. In 2013, he read about the findings of a randomized controlled trial in Uganda from 2002, that had remarkable success treating depression with Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-G). The study, by researchers from Johns Hopkins University (JHU), used lay community workers with only a high school education. The idea for StrongMinds was born.
Sean left his position as the CEO of a global antipoverty organization and founded StrongMinds, concentrating in Uganda, the site of the previous randomized controlled trial. The organization was incorporated in the United States in February 2013 with no funds. Sean used his family’s savings and volunteered full-time for the first 18 months until supporters were identified.
StrongMinds was data-driven from the beginning, conducting two clinical trails to test the efficacy of the model, and continued to study and fine-tune the model as more and more women received treatment.
In 2021, compelled by the severe lack of mental health services for BIPOC youth experiencing depression, Sean and his team decided it was time for StrongMinds to leverage its deep experience expanding access to depression treatment in Africa and adapt the IPT-G model to meet the needs of youth adults in the United States.
StrongMinds America was born!