About us – Mind Matters

MIND MATTERS

In Kenya there a is very minimum number of psychiatrists. Very many Kenyans are suffering from mental health disorders and 1 in 4 Kenyans are likely to suffer from a mental health disorder. There are 62 qualified psychiatrists within Kenya’s population of 48million

What is worse is the stigma and discrimination faced by these people and their families preventing them from seeking the help they need. The Mind Matter foundation is a platform where anyone seeking help can find comprehensive knowledge, connect with professionals, and find comfort knowing that they’re not alone.

MIND MATTTERS FOUNDATION

Our Focus

To work in the area of mental health with a specific focus on stress, anxiety and depression and psychosis.

Find Help

Offering options to seek Professional Mental health care and services

School Programs

The focus of the programme is to educate adolescents and teachers on stress, anxiety, and depression while aiming to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health.

Goals

To increase awareness on stress, anxiety, depression and psychosis.
Reduce stigma associated with mental illnesses.
Provide a pathway for those who need help and those who want to help.

MHFA Program

Having mental health first aid skills means that you can assist someone developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis and make a real difference to your community.

The Founder

DHARA SOLANKI

Dhara Solanki

Founder Mind Matters

On how it all began

Genesis

After completing Bachelor’s degree and while I was in the process of completing my Masters degree in Public Health I had an aspiration to work in the public health arena. I wanted to syndicate my interest and skill sets to create a difference in the mental health ecosystem. With the experience of public health and being a Life coach I realised that there is No Health Without Mental Health as it is the next Big Epidemic.

I strongly believe there is a huge gap in addressing mental health issues in Kenya, and the need to reduce the stigma and increase awareness, which is why I decided to set up- Mind Matters Foundation- A platform where anyone seeking help can find comprehensive knowledge, connect with professionals, and find comfort knowing that #YOUARENOTALONE and that #ITSOKAYTONOTBEOKAY.

Mind Matters Foundation- Launched on the 10th of October 2019, with the aim to set out and make a difference with the hope that it will reduce the stigma, increase awareness and encourage people to seek help”.

On the next big epidemic

Statistics

“As I explored the topic of mental health, I realised that 1 out of 4 people suffer from anxiety or depression during the course of their life. In Kenya 4 out of 5 Kenyans commit suicide. 5 in 6 Kenyans do not received treatments for mental health conditions.

According to the World Health Organisation this is the next big Epidemic to hit the world. However, most people do not seek help because society has stigmatised mental health problems such that people do not reveal the agony they suffer from or loved ones suffer from due to the fear of being branded as mad, crazy or weak”.

On the next step

What’s Next

“Over the next few years, Mind Matters Foundation will focus on increasing awareness of mental health issues, reducing the stigma around mental health, and providing a pathway for those who need help and those who want to help others in regards to mental health problems”.