This story was originally published by Reasons to be Cheerful
Chimbala sees a big need for mental health support in Zambia. StrongMinds reaches potential clients by going door-to-door through neighborhoods. It can be challenging, she says. Often, people who are depressed don’t want to engage. But it helps to meet people where they are and offer treatment right in their communities.
“There isn’t a lot of awareness of mental health,” Chimbala says. “So when you get in the communities to speak about mental health, translate the symptoms in the local languages that people speak, then they’re able to relate.”
After Priscilla Chama’s husband died suddenly, she struggled. She couldn’t concentrate, and lost interest in doing any activities.
When a woman working with StrongMinds came to Chama’s door, she decided to go to a group therapy session. During the first meeting, Chama didn’t feel comfortable speaking about her personal story. But as other women in the group began to share, she started to open up.
