Why do we exist?
The problem
For centuries mental health has always been stigmatized in Senegal and in Africa generally. Mental health research in Africa is limited by a lack of systematic data collection. According to unicef INNOCENTI, academics and practitioners tend to agree that stressful academic environnements, family stressors, violence and abuse, bullying, isolation and loneliness are strong contributors to many mental disorders among the young. Mental health problems can affect many areas of students’ lives, reducing their quality of life, academic achievement, physical health, and satisfaction with the college experience, and negatively impacting relationships with friends and family members. These issues can also have long-term consequences for students, affecting their future employment, earning potential, and overall health. On World Mental Health Day, Doctors Without Border emphasized the need for more mental health service in Africa, particularly for young children and adolescents
Mental health is important
The impact
Mental disorders are known to perpetuate a negative cycle of poverty, social exclusion, and reduced productivity, impacting the victim’s family and the broader community (Lund). To break this cycle, it is crucial for our government and our society to see the urge in having strategic plans for adolescent and children mental health. A good mental health requires a healthy and secure learning environnement. For children to be successful at school and to have a happy social life, they need mental care programs and strong academic support systems.
You can have a positive impact today!
Donate
Your donation will help us organize our mental health training sessions in schools and provide mental health care for students suffering from depression. We also accept donations in cash and by check.
Volunteer
You can get involved and have a huge influence on our progress by becoming a volunteer. Sign up today to join our strong network and positively change the lives of children.
News
Recent activities
Mental Health Campaign in rural communities #NandXel
We offer a training about depression, post-partum depression, the signs and the different coping mechanism and support systems to “Bajenu Gox”. The Bajenu Gox Initiative provides support to women during the prenatal delivery, and post-natal periods. It also provides advice about caring for children under 5. They are mothers or grandmothers in the rural communities that interact the most with mothers and children. They are women who act as intermediaries in the neighborhoods, between families, women, young girls, husbands, and health centers. Trustworthy women who advise and guide in matters of sexual life, marriage life and other issues. We are working with them to implement a mental health support system to their existing setting that already works.
Digital Mental Health Campaign #Cilonek
We addressed the false perceptions people can have about their friend’s mental health on social medias. They tend to believe what they see on Instagram and assume that their friends are doing fine forgetting to check on them. ” Cilonek” means “how are you” in wolof. We had 1.660.170 impressions on Twitter and 31.398 impressions on Instagram with over 500 testimonies on both platforms.