The Mental Wellness Initiative is a cornerstone element of the Tanzania Reaching Children’s Potential Program (RCP) in providing behavioral, emotional and psychosocial support to parents and the wider community, with the end goal of improving the health, development and vitality of children. An expanding goal is to optimize women’s mental health and protection from violence; thereby elevating their dignity, security, family cohesiveness, educational opportunities, earning capacity, lifestyle choices and overall social status. Service work targets depression, anxiety and trauma; widespread gender-based violence (GBV); teen and adult alcohol abuse; and suicidal ideation.
Short-term volunteers assist in all aspects of daily and weekly mental wellness projects. Psycho-educational workshops are conducted on alcohol abuse, family conflict, depression and anxiety, and recovering from trauma. Monthly in-home depression assessments are conducted by trained RCP caregivers with referrals to the general clinic for treatment. Village-based interpersonal-therapy (IPT) groups are coordinated by trained RCP Caregivers. Mental health awareness sessions are presented at village meetings and church gatherings.
As the family’s primary caregivers, vulnerable women in the Ukwega Ward require compassionate mental health interventions to stabilize their lives and care for their children. The RCP Mental Wellness Initiative addresses the most widespread needs.
Read about the development of the Reaching Children’s Potential Mental Wellness Initiative on our blog.