Support Mental Health Care & Psychosocial Support

TEWWY continues to stand as a vital source of healing and hope for communities in Makumbusho Ward, specifically within the streets of Minazini and Kisiwani. Every two weeks, two Wisdom&Wellness Counselors (WWCs) dedicate themselves to providing psychosocial support on a rotational basis. On average, each counselor serves about eight clients during these sessions, meaning that together, TEWWY reaches approximately 16 individuals across both communities.

This number, though modest at first glance, carries profound significance. In a context where deep-rooted stigma surrounds mental health, every individual who finds the courage to sit on TEWWY’s benches represents a powerful act of resistance against silence, shame, and isolation. Each person who seeks help is not only beginning their own journey of healing but also helping to shift cultural perceptions, proving that mental well-being is a right for all.

The Reality of Mental Health Challenges

The struggles brought to TEWWY’s benches reflect the lived realities of many in these communities. They are deeply human challenges, woven from the threads of love, loss, and survival:

• Relationships strained by conflict: Marital discord, breakups, and strained partnerships weigh heavily on mental well-being.

• Poverty and economic stress: Unemployment and underemployment are widespread, fueling depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. The financial burden of seeking treatment, from transportation to hospitals to the high cost of medication, remains prohibitive for many.

• Youth vulnerabilities: Young people face immense pressures from unemployment, academic stress, family conflict, and exposure to gender-based violence, leaving them particularly vulnerable to poor mental health outcomes.

• Stigma and discrimination: Cultural beliefs still tie mental illness to witchcraft, curses, or moral weakness. Families often hide loved ones to avoid shame, while those who bravely seek help risk rejection at school, in workplaces, or even within healthcare systems meant to support them.

• Gender-based violence and trauma: High rates of intimate partner violence and childhood sexual abuse contribute to cycles of trauma, post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety among women and girls. Survivors rarely have access to counseling or trauma-informed care.

Why This Work Matters

Against this backdrop of stigma, economic hardship, and systemic neglect, TEWWY’s work is nothing short of transformative. By offering a safe, accessible, and compassionate space, TEWWY’s WWCs are breaking barriers that have kept too many silent. They are not only addressing immediate pain but also planting seeds of resilience, dignity, and hope.

Every client served represents a story redirected from despair toward healing. Every counseling session chips away at stigma. Every survivor heard and supported becomes a beacon for others still suffering in silence.

TEWWY’s work in Minazini and Kisiwani reminds us that change begins in small but profound ways: one bench, one conversation, one life at a time.

On April 9, 2025, TEWWY launched its Depression Self-Assessment Project in Makumbusho Ward, Kinondoni District. The initiative, rooted in TEWWY’s community-led approach, focuses on the neighborhoods of Minazini and Kisiwani. Every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, trained Wisdom&Wellness Counselors (WWCs) provide free interpersonal counseling and conduct PHQ-9 depression screenings. These services offer residents an accessible entry point to emotional support and recovery.

Overcoming Initial Challenges

The Ward Executive Officer (WEO) did not attend the launch and showed limited support, highlighting persistent stigma around mental health at institutional levels. Despite this, the TEWWY team remained focused and committed. Encouragingly, the Mtaa Executive Officers of Minazini and Kisiwani responded positively, offering full support and demonstrating local leadership’s willingness to engage in mental health promotion.

Community Engagement and Early Impact

On April 16, 2025, WWCs began providing services in both neighborhoods. The community responded with openness and trust. That day:

Minazini Mtaa

• 19 individuals received counseling (9 men, 10 women)

Kisiwani Mtaa

• 9 individuals received counseling (2 men, 7 women)

Each session included a PHQ-9 screening, enabling early identification of depression and individualized support.

Key Findings

Preliminary assessments revealed three common stressors:

1. Limited income and persistent economic challenges

2. Unemployment, particularly among youth

3. Marital breakdown and the resulting burden on single mothers

These findings highlight urgent needs but also opportunities for community-informed solutions.

Building Trust Through Connection

A key success of the project has been the trust formed between counselors and residents. TEWWY’s intergenerational model, which positions respected elders as counselors, has created safe, culturally grounded spaces for healing. Clients report feeling heard, supported, and empowered.

Looking Ahead

Based on early outcomes, TEWWY will:

• Expand outreach in Kinondoni and surrounding areas

• Deepen collaboration with local leaders and institutions

• Strengthen referral networks for specialized care

• Use PHQ-9 data to inform program development and advocacy

Invitation to Collaborate

TEWWY invites government agencies, civil society organizations, and donors to partner in expanding access to mental health support. Together, we can build a future where mental well-being is a right for all, not a privilege for a few.

“Healing begins with listening. Empowerment begins with trust.”
— A TEWWY Wisdom&Wellness Counselor