As we reach the halfway point of our Developing Mental Wealth series, it’s clear that we’ve learned a lot from the people and projects that are making strides in improving mental health across the globe. We’ve seen inspiring efforts from Yemen to Liberia, Guatemala to Finland. Here are some of the highlights so far:
1. Stringers, or freelance journalists who report on the ground in various countries for news organizations, are unsung heroes of international reporting. They get up close to the work being done by people at the forefront of mental health issues, and ask all the questions we wish we could. We’ve commissioned stringers in six countries, and their first-hand accounts have helped bring the projects we cover to life.
2. Reporting from the global south is wrought with logistical challenges and requires flexibility and adaptability, as we’ve learned from our efforts to report on the positive mental health initiatives happening in countries like Guatemala and Yemen. Political unrest and the poor state of infrastructure can make it difficult to execute plans, but we’ve found a way to move forward regardless.
3. In Guatemala, we discovered an enviable childcare situation, which sees parenting responsibilities shared equally among the community. Many women can be seen carrying babies on their backs that aren’t even their own. A similar model has been found in the Indigenous Mbendjele BaYaka community in the Republic of Congo, where the mother’s support network is responsible for more than half of a baby’s cries.
4. Finland’s open dialogue model of care for patients with severe mental health conditions has significantly improved outcomes for people with psychosis. In the UK, just 15% of people diagnosed with schizophrenia are employed. In Finland, 86% of patients with severe mental health conditions return to work and education. The UK is now trialling the Finnish approach in several clinics, with results due in April 2024.
5. Grassroots mental health projects in Africa are among the most innovative and inspiring initiatives we’ve come across. From Friendship Benches in Zimbabwe to end female genital mutilation through intergenerational healing in Kenya, the continent is leading the way in finding creative solutions to ease mental health stressors.
Our Developing Mental Wealth series is bringing to light the people and projects that are transforming mental health worldwide. We couldn’t do it without the work of our stringers, the cooperation of communities worldwide, and the support of our readers. With your help, we can continue to bring positive news and solutions journalism to the forefront of media
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