What have been MHT Milestones?
- Project Hope: Wellbeing of the Mind: In July 2019, we launched “Project Hope: Wellbeing of the Mind” in partnership with Holistic Health 101 lead by Ms. Heather Stewart. This program has been sustainable and impacted more than 5,000 children, adolescents and youths around the country. This program has been done through seminars, workshops and trainings
- Psychoeducation and Mental Health Awareness Program:
- This program is aiming at creating, designing, establishing, and implementing various community mental health programs and activities to promote community psychoeducation, psychosocial support, and mental health awareness. The program started in 2019 and in progress.
- The program has been implemented through partnering or being invited in different seminars, workshops, conferences and summits by partners and other stakeholders of which in return impacted thousands of participants
- Implemented through televisions, radios, published some mental health articles in some newspapers and magazines of which, this has impacted millions of listeners, TV viewers and article readers
- Implement the program to adolescents and youths in primary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities.
- The social media accounts have been helpful tools in implementing the program. MHT has created and recorded hundreds of audios, videos, and photos all together with mental health contents
- MHT has implemented this program to millions of Tanzanians.
- The program has helped educating the community on how to maintain mental health
- Educated on mental health challenges
- Provided comprehensive tips and guidelines on how to take care their mental health
- Explained interventions of mental health conditions and psychological challenges
- Educated on mental illnesses facing respective communities, symptoms of mental illnesses
- MHT has implemented psychoeducation and mental health awareness program through different programs such as: mental health clubs Tanzania, training self-help tool (program tuliza), mental health academy program, mental health forum, mental health broadcasting media program, mental health Tanzania apps, mental health and artwork program, mental health webinar program, mental health outreach program, mental health research and development, mental health assessments & screening services, children, adolescents, youths and mental health program, mental health clinical services, tele mental health services, advocating, promoting, and supporting various mental healthcare systems in Tanzania, implementing consultations, mentoring, training, and coaching programs, community psychological and psychosocial support, volunteerism, internship, practicum, and fieldwork program as well as partnerships, affiliations, and collaborations
3. Held Five Major MHT Seminars & Conference impacted thousands of participants. In between 2019 to 2022, MHT has conducted major five seminars of which all together attended more than 4000 participants. These seminars and conference provided psychosocial support, psychoeducation, and mental health awareness in different mental health issues. These were held at Arusha Institute of Accountancy- Arusha; at Regency Hotel-Dar Es Salaam; at St. Joseph university- Dar Es Salaam, at St Christina Girls-Tanga and TGNP Hall in Dar es Salaam
4. Mental Health Artworks in partnership: MHT has been publishing Mental Health Artworks in partnership with David Hezron Nganonga, to promote mental health through artistic expression, whereby we produce mental health contents related artistic work.
5.Mental health sports and games: MHT, has been always a good stakeholder in involving at sports and games at different times. For instance: Mental Health Tanzania participated at MACOOBA event of Mental health awareness focusing on suicide awareness through sport and games-MACCOBA Colour RUN Marathon in Arusha; 26/10/2019. In 2022, MHT Participated in football match of which we raided mental health awareness. Moreover in partnership with Xtreme Camping and Toyota Tanzania in Dar Es Salaam-2022 MHT facilitated Sports and games to raise mental health and physical activities through sports.
6. National and International Partnerships, affiliations, and collaborations:
Since 20219, MHT has implemented a number of National and International Partnerships, affiliations, and collaborations in different ways. MHT embraces Partnerships, affiliations, and collaborations strategy to implement the programs, objectives, projects, activities and campaigns of the organization for instance through seminars, workshops, conferences and summits with partners and stakeholders. The organization is experienced with the culture of Partnership and Collaboration, working as teamwork with other mental health stakeholders at national and international level. MHT works with, mental health practitioners, business partners, donors, mental health advocates, ambassadors, NGOs, agencies, associations, companies, universities, colleges and schools, governments, government departments/sectors, mental health stakeholders, policy makers. Through this program MHT has managed to sustain mental health and wellbeing of individuals through implementing intervention and preventive measures such as mental health advocacy, promotion, community and psychosocial support, psychoeducation, mental health awareness, research, training, coaching and mentorship programs. Moreover, providing treatments and managements by addressing mental illnesses and psychological challenges through providing psychiatric and clinical mental health services, psychotherapy, counselling and guidance.
Some of the National and International Partnerships, affiliations, and collaborations with MHT include but not limited to: Africa Unveil- Youth program; Maisha Bora Program; Teens Talks with Abigail Chams; Udada Talks at Udada Foundation; ETV-Kitchen Party Gala; EFM-Mwanamke wa Shoka-2021; Rotaract Kairuki; Vijana Afya Akili; FULEP Tanzania (Camp Caleb); TUHEDA by Mrs Halima Rajab; The Royal Services for the People; Sheria Kiganjani; AIESEC Tanzania; Xtreme Camping Tanzania; Healthier Kidney Tanzania; Noble Charms Foundation; Delight Makers Foundation; Lukiza Autsm Foundation; Nijuze; Afya Passion; Fikra Afya,Tanzania Sheroes; Aman in a woman by Dr Grace Andy; Mental Health Awareness week by DM Saikolojia; TED Tanzania-Youth Program; Macooba-Color Run Marathon Program; Effective Youth-Jeshi la Wokovu; Learn & Transform; Youth of United Nations-Tanzania (YUNA); Lions Clubs Women Symposium; Tanzania Sheroes; Macooba-Color Run Marathon Program; Effective Youth-Jeshi la Wokovu; Learn & Transform; Red Cross-Morogoro; The African Society of Association Executives (AfSAE); Jitambue Media Forms; David Hezron- Artist; Marcus Mwemezi Foundation; Doreen Odemba Foundation; Holistic Health 101; Brac Maendeleo Tanzania; Lions Clubs Women Symposium Tanzania; International Rescue Committee (IRC); Global Mental Health Action Network (GMHAN)
7. Mental health in Primary, secondary Schools, colleges and universities: More than 11000 students in Primary, secondary School, colleges and universities have been trained on psychosocial support, psychoeducation, and mental health awareness. MHT visited different schools in the country and trained through workshops and seminars on how to take care of their mental health. Some of the schools visited include- Buhongwa primary school, Bulale Primary school, Isamilo International School, Loyola High School, Kisota Secondary School, Tambaza Secondary School, Ruvu Girls’ School, Boko Secondary School, St. Christina Girls School, Makurumla Secondary School, Mugabe Secondary Schools,
8. MHT published 3 abstracts on mental healthcare issues. In November 2019, MHT presented and published an abstract on mental health issues at Non-Communicable Diseases Conference in Dodoma organized by Medial Association Tanzania (MAT) and Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children. MHT presented an abstract on mental health at Non-Communicable Diseases Conference-Dodoma on 11-13 November 2019 organized by Medical Association Tanzania. MHT participated on the 6the and 7th Tanzania Health Summit-Dodoma 2019 & 2020
9. The Mental Health Tanzania Awards. The MHT has awarded three (3) individuals-The Mental Health Tanzania Awards.The 2019 award went to Ms. Winfrida Erasto, the 2020 went to Dr Kuduishe Kisowile and the 2022 went to Ms. Masuma Somji and expecting to once again reward for coming years . This MHT award aims at recognizing individuals who extraordinary show the differences by advocating and helping the community on mental health in Tanzania.
10. Two Honorary Memberships: MHT has awarded two honorary memberships to Barbro K. Brånemark and Karima Jamil Hirji. MHT Honorary Membership is the highest prestigious award that the Organization (MHT) may award an individual or organization who has made a notable contribution or has been committing to advocating and promoting Mental Health in Tanzania, especially in the organization (MHT)
11. Mental Health Tanzania Apps (MHT Apps): Since September 2019, MHT has deployed two applications named Mental Health Tanzania Apps (MHT App), (One is for all users and another for multidisciplinary practitioner’s team). Introducing MHT App, has been one of the various interventions implemented by Mental Health Tanzania (MHT) to improve the services, including the adoption of mobile phones to report mental health related challenges as well as offering mental health treatment via MHT App. MHT App aims to offer tele mental services such as tele psychotherapy, e-counselling and guidance, Tele-psychosocial support, Tele-psychoeducation, and Tele-mental health awareness.
12. Mental health Clinics: We have been running Psychotherapy, Counselling and Supervision through our Clinics in Dar Es Salaam, Dodoma and Mwanza of which these assets have served surrounding communities for their mental health and psychological challenges.
13. Volunteerism activities AT MHT. From 2019 MHT has received more than 70 volunteers who have worked with the organization in different times. MHT has been using volunteers by 100% to implement its programs/objectives. These volunteers are either from mental health professionals background, mental health recovery, individuals passionate on mental health or from related mental health fields such as social work, sociology, special need education etc.
14. Mental Health Broadcasting Media Program: MHT has been working with more than 30 televisions and radios stations: Through Broadcasting Media Program, MHT has either partnered or worked with more than 30 televisions and radios as well as published some mental health articles in some newspapers and magazines of which, this has impacted millions of listeners, TV viewers and article readers on psychosocial support, psychoeducation, and mental health awareness and other mental health services. Some of the radios and Television MHT used in different times: Radio one, Rado Free Africa, East Africa TV, East Africa TV, Clouds TV, Clouds Radio, TBC1, TBC1 Taifa, Kiss FM, Safina Radio, Radio Habari Maalum Arusha, Majic FM, Nuru FM Iringa, Afya radio Mwanza, EFM, Lake FM- Mwanza, ITV, Channel Ten, Star TV, Mahasin TV, Wasafi TV, Wasafi FM, Africa TV 2, Praise Power Radio, Boresha Radio, Metro FM, Radio Tumaini, BBC Swahili,
15. Mental Health Clubs Program: MHT introduced Mental Health Clubs Program in Tanzania and managed to register five clubs and more than 25 new clubs are in the process of being registered in different communities and institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities in Tanzania. The program has helped many youths on psychoeducation, mental health awareness, psychological support and receiving direct mental health services.
16. World Mental Health Days: We have been celebrating World Mental Health Day since 2019,2020,2021, 2022 in different regions in Tanzania including, Mwanza, Arusha, Dar Es Salaam and Dodoma. In October 2019, MHT organized World Mental Health Day in different regions in Tanzania including, Mwanza, Arusha, and Dar Es Salaam. In 2020, MHT as organizer, partnered with other mental health stakeholders to hold World Mental Health Day event at Mnazi Mmoja Ground- Dar es Salaam of which more than 500 participants attended. In 2021, MHT participated World Mental Health Day in Dodoma at Mirembe Referral Hospital. The event was organized by the government through Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children. In 2022, MHT organized World Mental Health Day in Dar Es Salaam and the guest of hour was Hon. Fatma, Toufiq (MP)
17. National and international interns and field work students: The organization has provided the opportunities to the interns and field work students offering the chance to participate effectively in promoting and providing mental health services in Tanzania. Since May to July 2020 there were 7 students from different universities and colleges as well as one international intern from Germany who are working with MHT.
18. MHT as influencer, frontier and set example to other mental health stakeholders. MHT has helped and influenced tens of agencies, NGOs, government and other mental health stakeholders to advocate on mental health in Tanzania hence MHT has been a frontier organization in advocating on mental healthcare in Tanzania and has set example and inspired other mental health stakeholders to do the same.
19. Program Tuliza: MHT managed to create the program of self-help tool, nicked named as “Programu Tuliza” to help in management of some mental disorders such as Anxiety, Depressive and stress related disorders.
20. Standardized Assessment Tool in Kiswahili. MHT has created a standardized Assessment Form in Kiswahili Language to suit Tanzanian aspects on mental health. This form is to be used in assessing what might be (signs and symptoms) of mental health problems and psychological challenges in an individual. This form can indicate the presence of depression, stress, PTSD, Anxiety, addiction, suicide, Sleeping Problem, Negative Coping mechanism etc.
21. The use social media and webinar to provide psychosocial support, psychoeducation, and mental health awareness. MHT has Signed Up a good list of social medias accounts such as Instagram, twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and telegram. The social media accounts have been helpful tools in implementing organization objectives especially mental health awareness and psychoeducation as well as marketing the organization. MHT has created and recorded hundreds of audios, videos, and photos all together with mental health contents or events done by MHT and upload them in its social media accounts in order to provide psychosocial support, psychoeducation, and mental health awareness as well as promote mental health services. Moreover, this method of the use social media, webinar helped MHT in marketing the organization, reach many people in a short span of time, conducting organization activities online and meetings as well as minimized the cost of running the organization
22. MHT and Outreaches to 17 NGOs, Companies, and other institutions around Mwanza. The outreaches aimed at seeking partnerships, engagements and providing mental health awareness as well as mental health Services to them. Institutions visited include Cheka Sana, Railways Children, Wote Sawa, Haki Zetu, Mikono Yetu, SOS Children Tanzania, St August University, Village of Hope, Bugando Hospital, Youths for Christ, Fadhili Foundation, Education for Better Living, ICAP, Aman Girls Home, Aghakhan Hospital, CDI,
23. Community mental health programs. MHT has implemented various community mental health programs. MHT has been involved in running activities/events/projects/ programs by integrating mental health services and Non-Communicable Diseases, Gender-Based Violence, HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse, and Addiction in schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, and community settings. MHT has been providing Community Psychological Support Program through psychosocial support, psychoeducation, mental health awareness and mental health services via mental health clubs, workshops, seminars, mental health forums, and online outlets, creating community programs and youth support groups to educate on how to maintain mental health, mental health challenges, and symptoms of mental illnesses; provide comprehensive tips and guidelines on mental health.
24. The Tremendous Power and effects of MHT Logo: On 4th July 2019 the current MHT Logo was formally revealed to the public, marking its birth. The logo itself has been a major “Invention of discovery” The logo has been the main gear contributing to organization achievement hence the logo itself is the explanatory structure of the organization vision, mission and objectives of which it has helped to market and brand the organization and attracting the beneficiaries and stakeholders to seek for services, partnership and sponsoring opportunities as well as work with the organization not only from Tanzania but also around the world.
24. Mental health professional online links: MHT has implemented online applications for professionals to register in the organization system for easy administering as well as clients to easy access of mental health services in the organization as a part of implementing technology (saver software and professional database). This application allows mental health professionals to register their names, upload their profile picture, certificates, CV, stating their gender, nationality, phone number, email address, location, and write their bios. This biodata, help the MHT to trace the professional in any demand of mental health service countryside.
25. Online Mental Health Forum: MHT has introduced another online application for youths and other groups in the communities to share experiences on mental health and seek help, share knowledge and skills, mental health issue’s outbreak in the communities, mental health challenges, etc.
26. MHT attended Research Priority Setting Workshop on Adolescents Mental Health organized by National Institute for Medical Research in Dar Es Salaam. The workshop aimed at bringing together mental health Stakeholders to discuss priorities and capacity needs for research, HIV on adolescents as well as promote networking for future research and capacity strengthening activities.
27. More than 30 mental health professionals: For the last 4 years, more than 30 mental health professionals (Psychiatrists, clinical psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors) have been handling mental health services in the organization, either direct counselling/ psychotherapy to clients or in one point or another provided psychosocial support, psychoeducation, and mental health awareness in the organization.