Our unique community-based model is a simple bespoke and cost effective capacity building intervention, that embraces the African mental health stories.

TRAINING MODEL

SPHT teaches about depression and treatment through bespoke African Mental Health First Aid(AMHFA) and Transactional Analysis Group models, delivered by  leaders in the community who have been trained by SPHT.  

AMHFA is a community led capacity building, non clinical bespoke mental health education intervention program that is like first aid for physical health, but it’s for mental health. 

It’s a way to help someone who might be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis, like feeling really stressed, having a panic attack, or talking about wanting to harm themselves. 

The idea is to give initial support until professional help is available or the crisis resolves. It’s about understanding the signs of mental health issues, listening to the person, giving reassurance, and guiding them to the right support. Think of it as the first step in helping someone through a tough mental health moment. 

At the same time – you are also helping yourself and learning to take responsibility for your own mental wellness. We emphasise 

depression awareness and education, self care and community involvement and empowerment, as the root of and source of recovery for depression. 

AMHFA intervention psychosocial training is an internationally recognised training course derived from Mental health First Aid and tailored to the African story.  Mental Health First Aid, originated in Australia in 1997, with the first course being piloted in 2000, by Tony Jorm and Betty Kitchener. MHFA has expanded globally, with courses run in various countries and millions of people trained worldwide​.

Additionally, AMHFA training reduces stigma, fosters empathy towards individuals with mental health challenges, and increases trainees’ confidence and ability to assist others in distress. 

This training also benefits the trainees’ own mental wellbeing. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

Our AMHFA training is face to face and open to Leaders in the community who lead any community adult group with members 10  or more. e.g Women groups, Youth Leaders, etc. 

Participants coming for training have to commit to what SPHT requires of them after training.

AMHFA COMMUNITY GROUP TRAINING

We create safe spaces where individuals and communities can learn, talk about and understand depression without shame or fear.

In eight (8) sessions, SPHT trained leaders facilitate structured discussions to help participants identify and understand the signs of mental health issues, how to listen to the person wh maybe experiencing an emotional crisis, give help and support,and guiding them to the right support. It as the first step in helping someone through a tough mental health moment.

Together, after understanding the origins of depression, they look at where in the community triggers of depression lie for many people, strategize possible solutions to these triggers and learn coping mechanisms, and identify support structures that they can continue to lean on after group has ended.

Since depression is episodic and recurrent throughout most people’s lives, these newly acquired skills have both immediate and long-term preventive impacts for the individual.

PHASES OF TRAINING

The sessions are divided into four phases, each with distinct objectives:

Initial Phase:

This phase focuses on creating a safe safe for each other , building trust and rapport among group members so that they feel at ease  opening up with one another.

Phase Two: 

Participants learn to fully understand the symptoms and triggers of depression within their culture, families and in the communities.

Phase Three

This phase ensures that all members are actively engaged in discussion and collective problem-solving. They also learn about self care and taking responsibility for their mental wellness.

Phase Four.

By this stage, most participants have an in depth understanding of depression, including their own mental state, and understand how to manage depression and where to seek help as well as understand how to support and help those in distress. 

SUSTAINABILITY AND SCALING

We achieve sustainability by identifying and training community members who are leaders in their communities, to facilitate SPHT training in their community, based on what they have learnt. 

We follow this through with monitoring and evaluation to see if they have followed through in training, the required number of community groups as required by the project.

We also work with governments and NGOs to integrate mental health services into livelihood, healthcare, and education programs in order to scale our reach and enhance outcomes for program participants.