Be the Change: Bring Hope to Ugandan Communities Living with Trauma
In Uganda’s Agago District, communities continue to live with the trauma of decades of conflict, forced migration, and the lingering effects of the AIDS epidemic. These compounded hardships have resulted in a widespread mental health crisis, with studies revealing staggering rates of PTSD (54%) and depression (67%)—particularly among women, who are disproportionately affected.
Mental health services are virtually non-existent in this rural region. There are too few trained professionals, pervasive stigma prevents people from seeking help, and access to care is limited by distance and lack of transportation. Moreover, primary care providers often lack the training and tools to recognize and treat mental health conditions.
This is where A Finemind, a Ugandan and US registered nonprofit, steps in.
A Finemind is working to close the country’s mental health treatment gap. Founded in 2019, Finemind’s mission is to make mental health care a routine and essential part of healthcare in Uganda, especially in low-resource and post-conflict communities.
Recognising the critical shortage of professionals and the deep-rooted stigma that surrounds mental illness, Finemind has pioneered a community-powered model. They train lay counsellors and primary health workers to provide mental health care that is culturally sensitive, scalable, and sustainable. Rather than operating as a parallel system, Finemind’s services are fully integrated into Uganda’s public health infrastructure—ensuring both accessibility and long-term viability.
Business for Better Society is supporting A Fine Mind because we believe in their innovative and community-rooted approach to mental health care. Their stepped care model aligns with our commitment to equitable and accessible health solutions. By starting with foundational community education and progressing to advanced clinical interventions like Problem Management Plus (PM+) and Interpersonal Counselling (IPC), A Fine Mind is ensuring that every individual receives the right level of support at the right time—an approach we are proud to champion.
- Integrating mental health services into 10 additional health facilities
- Recruiting and training Village Health Teams and lay mental health counsellors
- Delivering community-wide awareness campaigns and radio shows to combat stigma
- Training Health Information Assistants for quality data tracking and reporting
- Hosting stakeholder meetings to ensure policy alignment and local buy-in
What They’re Working Toward:
- 100% integration of mental health services in 10 new health centres
- 75% reduction in depression symptoms among treated individuals
- 30% increase in mental health awareness across the community
- 30% decrease in stigma based on pre- and post-program surveys
- 80% community satisfaction with the services received
- 75% successful program completion and discharge rate among participants
Sustainability at the Core
This project is not a stopgap—it’s a sustainable shift in how mental health is delivered in Uganda.
By embedding services in existing government facilities, building the capacity of local health workers, and aligning with national policies, A Finemind ensures that mental health care is not dependent on external aid, but owned and maintained by the communities themselves.
How You Can Help
Your support makes healing possible. In addition to financial donations, A Finemind also welcomes:
- Tablets for digital data collection
- Motorcycles to reach clients in remote areas
- Marketing and video production expertise to help tell their story
- Accounting and legal advice (U.S. and Ugandan contexts)
- Introductions to funders or partners aligned with mental health or global development
- Volunteers and impact travellers to assist on-site or remotely
Join Us. Together, we can break the cycle of trauma and bring healing, hope, and resilience to communities that have waited far too long for care.