PDO's COVID-19 Mental Health Response
Recognition: Pamoja is one of UNAIDS Ten Global Innovations
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BACKGROUND
Psychiatric Disability Organization (PDO) is a user-led mental health organization based in Nakuru County. People with lived experience and psychotherapists formed PDO with the aim increasing access to mental health services among the socially disadvantaged. We operate in Nakuru, Nyandarua, Baringo and Kericho counties. Pamoja initiative is our award winning community innovation model of service delivery at the grassroots.
Pamoja Initiative
Mental illness can be a very lonely place to be, especially when no help seems to be forthcoming. Pamoja means ‘we are one’ in Kiswahili. The #PamojaInitiative is about reaching out and bringing help to the many who suffer without help.
In Kenya, studies show that 10.8% of Kenyans have a mental illness at any point in time. However, the government invests just 0.01% of the health expenditure on mental health and has only 62 government psychiatrists serving 47 million Kenyans. Consequently, mental health services remain practically inaccessible to most Kenyans particularly those who need it most – the poor and marginalized groups.
Bridging the gap
The #PamojaInitiative is a community innovation through which we help bridge the gap in mental health treatment and care at the grassroots. It provides a platform for psychologists and people with lived mental health experiences to volunteer their time to help our community overcome the biggest barrier to treatment – access (cost and distance).
In Kenya, studies show that 10.8% of Kenyans have a mental illness at any point in time. However, the government invests just 0.01% of the health expenditure on mental health and has only 62 government psychiatrists serving 47 million Kenyans. Consequently, mental health services remain practically inaccessible to most Kenyans particularly those who need it most – the poor and marginalized groups.
Bridging the gap
The #PamojaInitiative is a community innovation through which we help bridge the gap in mental health treatment and care at the grassroots. It provides a platform for psychologists and people with lived mental health experiences to volunteer their time to help our community overcome the biggest barrier to treatment – access (cost and distance).
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A 3-pronged approach
Advocacy, affordable treatment and social support are the initiatives focus areas. These are currently achieved through our two categories of volunteers:
Beneficiaries
#PamojaInitiative targets the poor and marginalized in our community who are left out by mainstream actors. Our beneficiaries are largely drawn from people living in low income settings, vulnerable adolescents, PLWHIV, prisoners, drug users, sex workers, GBV survivors, survivors of disasters such as the #SolaiDam disaster that claimed 47 lives.
HIV and GBV
Both HIV and GBV are a cause and effect of mental health problems. Unfortunately, as the incidences of GBV and HIV increase among the poor and socially excluded groups, so does the prevalence of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, traumatic stress symptoms and substance abuse.
To respond to this growing need, #PamojaInitiative started a dedicated HIV and GBV psychosocial support program three years ago. It is run by therapist and members who have the advantage of lived experience expertise and the passion that comes with it.
Notably, over 20% of our beneficiaries who come for pharmacological intervention, psychotherapy and social support are HIV+ or survivors of GVB
Advocacy, affordable treatment and social support are the initiatives focus areas. These are currently achieved through our two categories of volunteers:
- Volunteers with lived experience and advocates. We train those who are living positively with a mental illness (and HIV/GBV) as peer support specialists and advocates. They offer peer support and peer counseling in a unique way – blending lived experience and training.
- Volunteer psychotherapists. We recruit trained specialists motivated to give back to their community. They fall into two categories:
- Young graduates who want to get hands-on experience, exposure, and professional growth.
- Working professionals who want to give something back to the community, develop new skills, or build on existing experience and knowledge.
Beneficiaries
#PamojaInitiative targets the poor and marginalized in our community who are left out by mainstream actors. Our beneficiaries are largely drawn from people living in low income settings, vulnerable adolescents, PLWHIV, prisoners, drug users, sex workers, GBV survivors, survivors of disasters such as the #SolaiDam disaster that claimed 47 lives.
HIV and GBV
Both HIV and GBV are a cause and effect of mental health problems. Unfortunately, as the incidences of GBV and HIV increase among the poor and socially excluded groups, so does the prevalence of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, traumatic stress symptoms and substance abuse.
To respond to this growing need, #PamojaInitiative started a dedicated HIV and GBV psychosocial support program three years ago. It is run by therapist and members who have the advantage of lived experience expertise and the passion that comes with it.
Notably, over 20% of our beneficiaries who come for pharmacological intervention, psychotherapy and social support are HIV+ or survivors of GVB
