Tanzania Project – Mental Health Awareness was established to assist Tap Elderly Women’s Wisdom for Youth (TEWWY) address the mental health crisis facing people living in communities of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. W3PV’s primary responsibility is to serve as the fiscal agent for TEWWY. In addition, W3PV will assist in bringing awareness of mental health challenges facing people.
The lack of access to mental health support in Tanzania has created a service shortage crisis. Some of the most vulnerable groups do not have the financial resources to access support as they face stigma, which contributes to overall poor mental health. With the support and endorsement of the Minister of Health.
TEWWY is collaborating with 15 Government Health Care Facilities [HCFs] to provide free mental health support services for all patients who opt-in.
Retired elderly women are being trained as Wellness Fellows [WFs] by a Muhimbili Hospital Clinical Psychologist & President of the Mental Health Association of Tanzania [MEHATA] to be able to deliver community mental health support services.
TEWWY’s WFs will connect with socially & economically vulnerable Tanzanians registered at the HCFs by offering SMS Counseling, Support Group Circles and SMS Mental Health Promotional Campaigns. Each of these services promotes positive mental health so that underserved communities increase their feelings of self-esteem, self-efficacy and sense of belonging. By promoting feelings of positive mental health, people are better equipped to improve their overall health and quality of life.