Mental health is a basic need, as much as food and shelter. Globally, 12 billion annual workdays are lost to depression and anxiety, costing US$1 trillion. In lower income countries over 100 million people urgently need mental health support.
BasicNeeds- Strengthening communities, improving mental health
What’s our idea?
Our BasicNeeds Model of coordinated community-led initiatives confronts this global mental health crisis. At its heart the BasicNeeds Model is an approach that both promotes individual wellbeing and builds awareness and support structures within communities.
John’s* story demonstrates BasicNeeds’ impact: His substance-induced psychosis left his family feeling they had no option but to chain him to a log. But a modest investment, and collaboration with government and community, brought life-changing treatment and recovery. John’s chains were removed, he regained employment and reclaimed his dignity.
John is just one of 800,000 individuals across 12 countries to benefit from the BasicNeeds Model. Research shows that our targeted interventions – including community dialogues, self-help groups and livelihood initiatives – reduce participants’ symptoms by 73% and increase employment by 80%.
Our concept is proven but vast numbers remain in need. We want a massive scale-up to transform the lives of five million people.
Together we can implement the largest global community mental health initiative, embedding our approach within government strategies and reducing the economic and social burden that mental illness has on individuals, communities and nations.
*Name changed
Why is it innovative?
To expand BasicNeeds, we want to create the first mentorship programme for developing, accrediting and spreading this Model. We know this works: an experienced team from Ghana trained a new team in Nigeria to implement the model, and then become mentors themselves.
The self-governed BasicNeeds Network is founded on Global-South-to-South learning, working towards self-sustainability through membership fees and government investments. High-quality training materials will be digitalised to reach more people and our network-wide monitoring system will demonstrate impact across multiple teams, ultimately leveraging greater investment and systems change at government and international level.
Where will we work?
Together with our partners the BasicNeeds network we will work across Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Who will our partners be?
The entire BasicNeeds network.
What do we need?
In five years, we aim to improve the wellbeing of five million people across Africa and Asia, reducing the social and economic impact the mental health crisis is having on individuals and communities.
To support us and invest in meeting the basic need of mental health for all, please get in touch with our CEO Kirsty Smith and our Director of International Programmes Matthew Hanning.
