INTRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT

Mental health is a major public health concern yet neglected despite a large proportion of youth experiencing mental health problems. Mental health problems have a significant global impact. 300 million people were going through it and suffered from depression in 2015, making the condition the largest contributor to global disability, causing 7.5% of the total years lived with disability. Anxiety disorders additionally caused 3.4% to live with a disability. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Tanzania, appear to bear much of this burden; four out of five people suffering from mental disorders, such as depression and substance abuse, live in Low or Middle-Income Countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depressive disorders affect 4.1% of the population and that anxiety disorders affect 3% in Tanzania. About 10.7%-21.1% of youth have mental health issues (y. Wei et al. 2017), yet they have no one to run to since families and community hardly understand them, leading to more suicide cases among youths. Also, it is estimated that the lost economic output due to mental illnesses between 2011 and 2030 will be $16.3 trillion globally.

In collaboration with Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) through the School 2030 project, Tanzania Youth Coalition (TYC) has addressed this challenge to Tanzania youth aged 17-24 living in Dar es Salaam since it’s the region with a high estimated number of people having mental health issues, especially the young generation. The project pilot reached a total of 32 youths from Temeke Municipal directly and 200 indirectly to the community at large through flyers.

Name of the project

The project was named KITAA, which is the acronym for Kijana Tambua Afya ya Akili, and in English means youth get knowledge about mental health.

Scope and time of the pilot of the project
This pilot was conducted over five months (November to March) and covered six Temeke Municipal wards, namely Makangarawe, Keko, Miburani, Tandika, Temeke, and Kurasini.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

  • Raising awareness of mental health among the youth of 17-24 years of age in Temeke district

Specific Objective

  • Understanding depression and the use of excessive alcohol as the result of unstable mental health
  • Understanding stereotypes on mental health and discrimination against people going through mental health issues
  • Ensuring participants understand stress, causes of stress, indicators of stress, and how to overcome it

METHODOLOGY

Pechakucha presentation: Was used to create awareness of mental health issues among young people, through animated stories and picture tells (storytelling).

Mentorship platform for 32 youth from Temeke Municipal: Where a psychologist mentored youth and supported the TYC team to raise awareness and empower youth on how to address mental health problems twice per month.