Building communities where mental health is understood, supported and valued Mental health is an essential part of individual, family and community wellbeing. CHAD promotes mental health awareness, stigma reduction, psychosocial wellbeing and appropriate referral and support, with a focus on adolescents, young people, families and underserved communities. Our approach is community-led, youth-responsive and partnership-based, working with communities, health actors, mental health professionals, government, civil society and research partners.
OUR GOAL
To strengthen community understanding of mental health, reduce stigma and improve access to appropriate information, support and referral pathways.
WHY MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Communities may face barriers including:
- Limited mental health awareness
- Stigma and discrimination
- Fear of seeking help
- Limited access to appropriate services
- Weak referral pathways
- Social and economic pressures
- Limited opportunities for young people to discuss wellbeing
CHAD works with communities and partners to address these barriers through awareness, dialogue, engagement, stigma reduction and linkage to appropriate services.
WHAT WE DO
- Mental Health Awareness
We provide accessible information and create opportunities for communities and young people to discuss mental health and wellbeing.
Our activities may include:
- Community awareness
- Health education
- Community dialogues
- Youth engagement
- Information materials
- Mental health advocacy
- Stigma Reduction
We promote informed and respectful conversations that challenge misconceptions, discrimination and harmful attitudes toward mental health.
Awareness → Dialogue → Understanding → Support → Referral
- Youth Mental Health
Young people are a key focus of our work. We create opportunities for youth participation in mental health awareness, dialogue and community initiatives.
- Psychosocial Wellbeing
We promote social connection, supportive environments, community participation and appropriate referral in programmes where social, economic, health or environmental pressures affect wellbeing.
- Community Mental Health
We work with families, schools, community health actors and local institutions to strengthen awareness, supportive environments and connections to appropriate services.
MENTAL HEALTH & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Mental wellbeing is influenced by the conditions in which people live.
CHAD therefore considers mental health within relevant work on:
- Youth & Opportunities — education, employment, leadership and participation.
- Gender & Protection — violence, discrimination and unequal power.
- SRHR — the relationship between sexual and reproductive health and mental wellbeing.
- Livelihoods — economic insecurity and its effects on wellbeing.
- Climate Change — climate-related shocks, displacement, livelihoods and community resilience.
OUR APPROACH
- LISTEN — Understand community experiences and priorities.
- CREATE AWARENESS — Provide accessible and relevant information.
- REDUCE STIGMA — Promote dignity, inclusion and informed attitudes.
- IDENTIFY — Recognize concerns that may require additional support within programme scope.
- CONNECT — Link individuals to appropriate qualified services.
- LEARN — Use evidence, feedback and programme learning to improve our work.
WHO WE WORK WITH
CHAD collaborates with:
- Adolescents and young people
- Families and communities
- Schools
- Community health actors
- Mental health professionals
- Health facilities
- County health departments
- Civil society organizations
- Universities and research institutions
- Development and technical partners
RESEARCH & LEARNING
CHAD is interested in generating evidence on community mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, including:
- Youth mental health
- Mental health stigma
- Community-based approaches
- Referral and linkage pathways
- Mental health and climate change
- Mental health and livelihoods
- Mental health and SRHR
- Community resilience
- Digital approaches to mental health information
We welcome research and learning partnerships with universities, researchers, government institutions and development partners.
[EXPLORE RESEARCH & LEARNING]
MEASURING OUR IMPACT
Depending on the programme, CHAD may monitor:
- People reached
- Young people engaged
- Community dialogues conducted
- Community actors trained
- Changes in knowledge and awareness
- Referral and linkage activities
- Community feedback
- Partnerships established
- Lessons learned
PARTNER WITH CHAD
CHAD welcomes partnerships that strengthen community mental health and psychosocial wellbeing through:
- Funding
Support community-based mental health initiatives. - Technical Partnerships
Provide expertise, training and technical assistance. - Research Partnerships
Generate evidence and learning. - Capacity Building
Strengthen community actors' knowledge and skills. - Community Implementation
Partner with CHAD as a local implementation partner. - Advocacy & Policy
Strengthen recognition of mental health within community and public health systems.
SAFEGUARDING & RESPONSIBLE PROGRAMMING
CHAD is committed to:
- Protecting children and vulnerable people
- Respecting confidentiality and privacy
- Promoting dignity and non-discrimination
- Using appropriate and non-stigmatizing language
- Engaging appropriately trained personnel
- Providing appropriate referral pathways
- Obtaining informed consent
- Working with qualified professionals where specialized support is required
CHAD's community-based activities do not replace professional diagnosis, counselling or clinical treatment.
WHY PARTNER WITH CHAD?
CHAD brings:
- Community presence
- Youth engagement
- Community health experience
- Local contextual knowledge
- Community mobilization
- Programme implementation experience
- Stakeholder coordination
- Partnership orientation
- Commitment to evidence and learning
OUR VISION
We envision communities where mental health is understood, stigma is reduced, people are treated with dignity, and individuals can access appropriate support when they need it.