URGENT NEED FOR DEPRESSION INTERVENTION
Depression can be particularly debilitating for vulnerable groups like women, youth, and families. The Shibero Psychosocial Health Trust (SPHT) understands this and is dedicated to strengthening, building hope, and fostering resilience in these communities.
Our mission goes beyond simply addressing depression. We believe in the wisdom of the proverb, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”. We equip individuals with the mental and psychological tools they need to cope with challenges and thrive in the long run.
This is achieved through innovative projects that utilize two powerful approaches:
- Partnerships: Expands resources and reach, making the program more sustainable by reducing the burden of providing everything in-house.
- Low-cost materials: Makes the program less dependent on funding for supplies, contributing to long-term financial viability.
- Tracking Success: Data on program effectiveness strengthens grant applications and fundraising efforts, securing resources for future iterations.
- Feedback Loop: Allows for continuous improvement, ensuring the program remains relevant and addresses community needs over time.
This project tackles mental health challenges within African communities. We work towards good mental and psychosocial health for all with a focus on prevention is better than cure.
Recognising the prevalence of abuse in various forms e.g. sexual, physical, financial, childhood abuse, emotional, rape, marital, and cultural practices that perpetuate female suppression, and the challenges of navigating a patriarchal society, this initiative offers a multi-pronged approach to empower women and combat depression.
Key Areas of Focus:
Breaking the Cycle of Trauma:
To provide support and healing resources to women who have experienced various forms of abuse including marital and family breakdown, through group therapy and educational workshops to enable women to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Shifting Cultural Narratives:
Go out into the community and challenge harmful cultural practices that normalise abuse within communities. Through educational talks and community outreach, we aim to spark conversations, foster a more supportive environment, and dismantle systems that perpetuate female abuse and oppression.
Building a Virtual Support Network:
Building an Online Sisterhood:
Our YouTube channel stands as a vital resource for women who may find themselves isolated or unable to seek help in person due to their circumstances. We offer a secure and empowering online space where educational and healing content is readily available.
This channel is dedicated to empowering women by providing them with the knowledge to identify abuse, strategies for developing effective coping mechanisms, and the tools needed to forge a hopeful and brighter future. Through our videos, women gain a powerful voice and become part of an understanding and supportive online community.
Overall Impact:
EmpowerHer goes beyond addressing individual needs; it aims to create a ripple effect of empowerment. By equipping women with tools and resources, fostering supportive communities, and challenging harmful societal norms, we contribute to a future where women can thrive.
This project empowers women to break free from the cycle of trauma, navigate challenging circumstances with greater resilience, and build brighter futures. Ultimately, by investing in the well-being of women, we strengthen families, communities, and society as a whole.
Building Stronger Families, Stronger Communities
Everything we do is based on protecting people’s mental and psychosocial health. We know that some groups in the communities are at higher risk of mental health problems due to the social, economic, and environmental circumstances they find themselves in. Much of our work challenges these mental health inequalities by helping those at the greatest risk.
By promoting culturally sensitive approaches and fostering open conversations, the project empowers communities to understand depression, build resilience and understand how to support each other. It aims to break down stigma and create a network of support for mental well-being across communities.
