Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) affect the poorest communities in low-income countries and cause physical impairments, abnormal swelling and aggressive skin ulcers. As well as these physical impairments, people often experience rejection, stigma and discrimination, all of which can impact on their mental health. These can lead to mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety.
Read more about our Dream Big: Holistic support for people with NTDs project.
Mental health is an essential component of care for people affected by NTDs. Despite this, mental health services are rare. To support people with NTDs our idea is to:
We want to provide a platform that gives support to people with NTDs, including peer support, mental health support, and community advocacy. We also want to build competencies in Primary Health Care services to identify, treat, and refer people with mental health needs.
Our aim is to create a world where people with NTDs participate in their community, feel confident in themselves, and are able to access healthcare and inclusive livelihoods to break the NTD-Disability -Poverty Cycle. This will also benefit their families and caregivers.
NTD projects often focus only on mass drug distribution for people at risk of infection to prevent disease transmission. In contrast, our idea is ambitious in its scope, integrating with existing mass drug distribution programmes and drawing in many other key elements of holistic and inclusive care.
Our ground-breaking research has proven the mind-skin link; that mental health care is an essential component of NTD treatment. Our idea works to address not just the physical health of people with NTDs, as is common of most interventions, but also their mental health. We don’t just want to prevent the spread of NTDs, we also want to meet the needs of those who currently have NTDs.
We will work with long-standing local partners in Nigeria and Kenya.
We work with experienced local partners to create lasting change. We believe in listening to the real experts – people with NTDs themselves – ensuring they are central to the decisions and plans that affect their future.
To invest and help us provide vital mental health support for people with NTDs, please get in touch with our CEO Kirsty Smith and our Director of International Programmes Matthew Hanning.
