Welcome
Empowering Mental Health in East Africa
Join us in advocating for better mental health services for all.
About EAC Mental Health
Our Mission
Our Mission is to drive policy reforms and implement evidence-based interventions through collaboration, advocacy, and capacity building, in alignment with the East African Community (EAC) Health Policy.
Our Vision
To establish a unified and collaborative East African network dedicated to promoting equitable, accessible, and sustainable mental health systems for all.
About us
The East African Community Mental Health Network (EACMHN) is a regional initiative dedicated to fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to drive mental health reforms and improve access to quality mental health services. We work towards harmonizing policies, advocating for increased investment and more.
Our Work
Our Values
Equity & Inclusion – Ensuring mental health services are accessible to all, especially marginalized populations such as children, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and refugees.
Collaboration – Strengthening partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, community organizations, and international institutions.
Advocacy – Influencing policymakers to prioritize mental health in national health budgets and policy frameworks.
Evidence-Based Action – Utilizing research and data-driven approaches to inform mental health policies and interventions.
Accountability & Transparency – Ensuring responsible resource mobilization and efficient use of funds to maximize impact.
Policy Advocacy
· Advocating for harmonized mental health policies across East African Community countries in alignment with global standards such as the WHO Mental Health Action Plan (2013-2030).
· Pushing for increased budget allocations and transparency in mental health funding.
· Engaging with international advocacy networks to secure high-level commitments.
Collaboration & Partnerships
· Establishing strategic alliances with WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, Africa CDC, EU, EAC Secretariet and other regional and international stakeholders.
· Developing joint programs to tackle common mental health challenges in East Africa Community.
· Facilitating knowledge exchange among members.
Data Collection & Research
· Supporting the establishment of standardized mental health information systems across the region.
· Encouraging collaborative research on conflict-related trauma, displacement, and gender-based violence.
· Disseminating research findings to shape policy and improve mental health interventions.
Resource Mobilization
-Implementing a regional fundraising strategy targeting governmental and international donors like the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
-Exploring innovative funding solutions, including public-private partnerships and crowdfunding.
-Ensuring transparent fund allocation through competitive grant mechanisms.
Monitoring & Evaluation
-Designing a robust framework to assess program impact and effectiveness.
-Conducting periodic evaluations to refine strategies and address gaps.
-Leveraging digital tools for real-time reporting and data analysis.
Our approach
The exclusion of community-driven mental health knowledge and priorities in shaping East Africa’s future health science systems and policies
While efforts to improve mental health exist, the current Health Science Knowledge System in East Africa is deeply disconnected from the communities it seeks to serve. Dominant narratives are often framed by academic institutions, external researchers, and donors, while lived realities, indigenous practices, and community knowledge are undervalued or ignored.
Areas to consider during application process
· Inequitable allocation of resources to mental health- This aligns with EACMHN's advocacy strategy for increasing domestic budget allocations for mental health across EAC member states Weak community engagement in the development and design of mental health policies and service provision- This aligns with EACMHN advocacy strategy for ratification and domestication of regional and international mental health instruments across EAC member states.
· Limited advocacy capacity among civil society and communities: - This aligns with EAC MHN capacity strengthening strategy for civil society to be able to effectively advocate for better mental health policies within their countries as well as holding their duty bearers accountable for the commitments they make.
· Stigma discrimination and misinformation: This aligns with EACMHN strategy for research and accurate information dissemination to highlight social, economic, climatic and political factors in the EAC region that exacerbate mental health among its citizens.
STRATEGIES/APPROACH
Participatory Research Circles in rural and urban communities to co-create mental health narratives and define local indicators of mental wellbeing.
Community-based AI Pilots: Using AI to analyze qualitative lived-experience data, challenge stigma patterns, and map mental health priorities. (Growing of AI, Digital Resilience, Logarithmic Trauma and Cyber Diplomacy) and era of technology
Knowledge Justice Labs: Spaces where researchers, traditional healers, persons with lived experience, and community members redefine the “validity” of evidence.
Policy Dialogue Series to disseminate findings and propose new structures for mental health research validation and application across East Africa.
Why EACMHN
EACMHN is a network of grassroots organizations, peer advocates, and community mental health actors from across East Africa, with strong local presence across the EAC region and strategically connected to national and regional decision making platforms.
EACMHN is championing mental health access for marginalized groups including youth, adolescent girls and women, people with disabilities, and communities in affected areas with WARS (DRC, South Sudan, Rwanda etc.) groups often left out of the knowledge creation process.
EACMHN leverages its strength as a regional network to harness local expertise to respond to country specific challenges while galvanizing its influence to push for a regional approach in addressing mental health concerns.
where we work
where we work
The East African Mental Health Network (EACMHN) is a coalition of mental health organizations and professionals within the East African Community (EAC).
The EACMHN operates in the East African Community (EAC) member states, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.