Building Resileince for a Brighter Tomorrow Today
The EmpowerHer Women’s Program is, for women affected by depression.Programs are designed to empower women to reduce low moods and depression. Our programs are specifically designed to support women residing in peri-urban areas, but can also run them in rural environments.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Empowerher psychosocial group healing program is face to face, and open to women leaders in the community who lead any adult women groups of 10 or more women.
ORIGIN OF PROGRAMS
Programs are based on research findings and recommendations from women who were a part of the research study ‘Women’s Mental Health in Nairobi, Kenya. East Africa’ by Shibero R. Akatsa. Though the study was carried out in Nairobi Kenya, it was well represented by a wide range of women from different parts of the Continent of Africa.
Our extensive research, encapsulated in the ‘Women’s Mental Health in Nairobi, Kenya’ study, shed light on the pressing challenges faced by women in peri-urban areas. These findings not only guide our interventions but also underline the urgency of our mission. Here are some of the key insights that are shaping our approach to creating a more supportive, empowering environment for women:
- Marital and Parental Pressures: Societal pressure on women to be in heterosexual relationships, have children by a certain age, and the challenges faced by single mothers.
- Mental Health Stigma and Beliefs: Prevalent stigma and traditional negative beliefs about mental illness, which hinder women from seeking help.
- Domestic Violence: Increase in domestic violence, especially during the COVID pandemic, and its impact on women’s mental health.
- Economic and Workplace Challenges: Economic hardships faced by women, including job losses during COVID, workplace discrimination, and the gender pay gap.
- Legal Rights and Awareness: Lack of awareness among women about their legal rights and the challenges they face in navigating the legal system.
- Mental Health Awareness and Attitudes: Limited understanding of mental health, the link between stress and psychosomatic ailments, and the tendency to conceal mental health issues due to societal stigma.
- Personal Welfare and Self-Esteem: Low self-esteem and the normalization of stress in women’s lives.
- Support Systems: Lack of adequate support systems and the sources of support women currently rely on.
Our Approach and Strategies
At EMPOWERHER, our commitment since 2015 has been to create accessible, effective solutions for the challenges faced by women across the continent.
Our approach is multi-faceted, addressing both the causes of low moods and depression, and providing supportive platforms for healing and empowerment.
Here’s how we do it:
EMPOWERHER Programs Overview
1.EmpowerHer Youtube and Social Media Platforms
Tailored assistance focusing on the specific needs of each woman, addressing the root causes of low moods and depression for lasting impact.
2. Women’s Therapeutic Groups
Our Women’s Therapeutic Groups are more than just a space for personal healing; they are a platform for community transformation. Here’s how the program works:
- Personal Healing Journey: Each participant embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing, whilst also learning basic counselling skills, within a safe and supportive group environment. Guided by trained facilitators, these sessions allow women to share their experiences and learn new coping strategies.
- Commitment to Community Outreach: After completing their personal healing journey, each woman is encouraged to take on a mentoring role. They are expected to apply their newfound knowledge and skills to help their families directly, ensuring the benefits of the program extend to their immediate environment.
- Creating Ripple Effects: Beyond family support, each graduate of the program is tasked with forming and guiding a new group of five women. This model ensures that the impact of the program multiplies, spreading awareness and healing further into the community.
Evidence of Impact: Participants are encouraged to document and share the progress and outcomes of their mentoring efforts. This not only provides evidence of the program’s effectiveness but also inspires and motivates others within the community.
HOW PROGRAM RUNS
The EmpowerHer Program includes 10 sessions. Healing and process is based around the triggers of depression that women defined in the research and any other that they may have. We also include psychoeducation on depression, identifying triggers,counselling skills, and supporting healing process are some of the sessions. Women use their own experiences of depression as the starting point of the program. The intervention is highly structured, easy to learn.
Participants go through the following five phases. All phases integrate basic counselling skills:
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. From the start of theb program, participants are learning counselling skills
Phase Two
This phase is experiential and participants learn to fully understand the symptoms and triggers of depression within their culture, families and in the communities, using their own situations They aso learn how to identify symptoms of depression within themselves.
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 experienced a substantial reduction in the severity of their depression symptoms. As they prepare for the end of formal sessions, each will make a plan to identify and mitigate triggers in the future, so that they can prevent recurring depressive episodes.
Phase Five.
Process Practice
In this phase women, practice on each other the process they went through, from the beginning to the end. By this phase, women have learnt how to be lay counsellors for other women that they will be helping heal and training.
Through these strategies, EMPOWERHER aims not just to address the immediate challenges but to foster a community of informed, empowered, and resilient women, who then go and support other women,making the Join us in this mission to create a brighter, healthier future for women across the continent.
Our Therapeutic Model: Integrating Group Transactional Analysis
with Interpersonal Therapy
We utilize a distinctive therapeutic approach that combines the principles of Group Transactional Analysis with Interpersonal Therapy. This eclectic model is carefully designed to offer a holistic healing experience.
Group Transactional Analysis (TA): TA forms the core of our model. In our group settings, it helps participants explore and understand their interactions and communications with others. This approach is particularly effective in uncovering patterns in relationships and social dynamics. By analyzing these ‘transactions’, women gain insights into their behavior, emotions, and social interactions, fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
Integration with Interpersonal Therapy: To enhance the effectiveness of TA, we integrate principles of Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). IPT focuses on addressing interpersonal issues and improving communication skills. It helps participants in navigating and resolving conflicts, building stronger relationships, and managing their emotional responses in a healthy way.
Eclectic and Holistic Approach: Our approach is eclectic, meaning we draw from various therapeutic models to best suit the needs of our participants. We believe in adapting our methods to fit the unique circumstances and cultural backgrounds of the women we support. This flexibility ensures that our therapy is not only effective but also resonant with the diverse experiences of the participants.
Empowerment through Understanding: The combination of TA and IPT in a group setting empowers participants to not only understand their own psychological needs and behaviors but also to develop empathy and support for others in the group. This shared journey fosters a sense of community and collective growth.
Through this integrated therapeutic model, EMPOWERHER aims to provide a comprehensive, empathetic, and effective environment for healing and personal development.
How You Can Get Involved:
Volunteering to teach our program, donations, and other ways the community can support our mission. ??????
Success Stories and Testimonials:
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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.