Last month, two inspiring events in Tanzania brought together youth leaders, government representatives, funders, and mental health advocates to learn from one another, build connections, and strengthen the movement for better mental health. Representing Grand Challenges Canada (the host of the Being Initiative) were Brittney Dudar, Portfolio Manager, and Erica Zissis, Program Operations Associate.
Highlights from the Being Tanzania Learning Gathering (May 29, 2025)
Hosted in collaboration with Orygen and the Nivishe Foundation, the Being Learning Gathering in Tanzania featured energizing workshops, open conversations, and inspiring youth innovations to showcase the power of youth-led solutions and the importance of working together to address mental health challenges across the country.
The Gathering aimed to strengthen the capacity of funded mental health innovators in Tanzania. The event was a valuable opportunity for connection, collaboration, and exchanging best practices on topics like measuring stigma reduction and scaling mental health innovations.
Participants also shared creative approaches to breaking down mental health stigma and improving access to support:
- Reaching the Unreached Tanzania (RUT) is using Bongo Flava music to start honest conversations and share accurate mental health information with young people.
- Power Plus Foundation is training soccer coaches to talk about mental health with youth in their communities.
- The Tanzania Health & Medical Education Foundation (TAHMEF) is training workers at the country’s national Afya Call Centre to deliver stigma free mental health support and offers judgment-free support through its “AHADI” app, which connects young people to mental health and self-help resources including peer support groups, certified counsellors (for a fee) and a chatbot that provides 24/7 assistance and support.
- Predon Company Limited is developing a Swahili mental-health themed board game called SPARKI which will teach youth about mental health to tackle harmful cultural beliefs and misinformation.
We also heard from the Africa Academy for Public Health (AAPH), who recently received a Being Ecosystem Catalyst grant. AAPH will support national efforts to better coordinate mental health work and push for stronger advocacy linked to Tanzania’s national mental health strategy.
A key theme? Youth are not just participants, they’re leaders. To make lasting impact, youth voices need support, shared goals, and stronger connections to services and systems.
Takeaways from the 2025 Tanzania Mental Health Summit (May 30–31, 2025)
The 2025 Tanzania Mental Health Summit in Kahama was hosted by WAYDS Tanzania in collaboration with the Vitol Foundation, Fondation Botnar, Grand Challenges Canada, the Science for Africa Foundation, United for Global Mental Health, Africa Academy for Public Health (AAPH), and other global partners. Over 443 participants, mostly youth, were joined by government and global partners to focus on supporting youth mental health in Tanzania.
One big takeaway was the need for better coordination. That means aligning efforts across sectors, improving communication with policymakers, and working together to drive national change. As Charles Deogratius from WAYDS Tanzania reminded us: “Mental health care is not for the few, but has to be given by the majority.”
Stigma was another major focus. Many participants noted it remains one of the biggest barriers to getting help as it shows up in many forms, within individuals, in communities, and in health systems.
“Stigma silences. Stigma shames. And stigma stops youth from seeking help before it’s too late,” said Sweetbert Anselimus, Being Youth Advisor in Tanzania.
Language also plays a role. Many noted that mental health is often misunderstood or talked about in harmful ways. There’s still no clear Swahili word for “mental health,” and suicide remains both taboo and criminalized, making it hard to track and respond effectively. Participants called for more data, better community-led evaluation, and support for small but steady progress. They emphasized the need to connect youth to services, not just raise awareness.
As Charles Deogratius put it: “Mental health is the basis of sustainable development, and it can’t be achieved without unity.”
Insights from Sweetbert Anselimus, Being Youth Advisor in Tanzania:
Attending the Being Learning Day and the Tanzania Mental Health Summit was a truly enriching experience. The open, honest conversations around community-driven approaches to mental health were deeply inspiring. Listening to firsthand stories was a powerful reminder of how essential it is to create safe spaces for dialogue and connection.
This event reaffirmed my commitment to advocating for mental wellbeing and has energized me to carry these insights into my ongoing work. More than ever, I believe in the power of youth voices to drive change.
To all young people in Tanzania and around the world: Your voice matters. Speak up. Collaborate. Share your stories. Your lived experiences are not a weakness; they are among the most powerful tools we have to challenge stigma and help build a more compassionate, inclusive mental health system.
