Transforming Lives Through Community-Based Mental Health Support

For over a decade, the Far North Region of Cameroon has lived under the shadow of the Boko Haram insurgency. Young people have been among the hardest hit—many have lost loved ones, witnessed violence, or been displaced from their homes. These experiences have left thousands at risk of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

To respond to this urgent need, Association SEMBE, with support from Grand Challenges Canada, launched the Community Mental Health Support for Young People Affected by the Conflict project.

The project began in 2021 with a pilot phase and expanded in June 2023 to reach more young people until February 2025. It works in nine conflict-affected communities across the divisions of Mayo-Sava, Mayo-Tsanaga, and Logone-et-Chari, including Makoulahe, Amchide, Kolofata, Maxi-Mabass, Moskota, Tourou, Biamo, Blangoau, and Fotokol.

Our Goal

To provide accessible, community-based, and culturally appropriate mental health support for young people aged 10–24.

We do this through:

• Community Wellbeing Centres (CWBCs): safe hubs for counseling and psychosocial support.
• School Mental Health Clubs: spaces where students connect, share, and learn healthy coping skills.
• Training community influencers: equipping teachers, youth leaders, women and men leaders to serve as lay counselors.
• Awareness raising: breaking stigma and promoting mental health in schools, homes, churches, mosques, and community spaces.

Key Achievements

Since 2021, the project has reached thousands and created lasting change:

• Expanded Reach: 8,893 young people accessed lay counseling services in schools and communities, while 5,000 students received mental health education from trained teachers.
• Improved Wellbeing: Over 85% of beneficiaries reported feeling better (measured with the WHO-5 index). Mobile clinics with psychologists brought advanced care for cases of depression and anxiety.
• Community Structures: Nine Community Wellbeing Centres and 14 school mental health clubs are now fully functional.
• Local Capacity: 130 teachers, social workers, leaders, and youth have been trained in trauma-informed care and psychological first aid.
• Awareness Raising: More than 25,000 people were reached through door-to-door campaigns, community talks, and group discussions in schools, churches, and mosques.

Voices from the Community

• “The beneficiaries now feel they are not alone. They are happy and no longer suffer from social isolation.” – Social Worker
• “The program helped reduce stigma and gave people a chance to talk openly about their mental health.” – Community Leader
• “When I first came here, I was in a lot of pain. After a few sessions, I started to feel like I belonged. Now, I feel so much better and I can interact without fear.” – Young Beneficiary
• “The training has equipped me to identify students who are struggling and support them compassionately. I see the difference it makes every day.” – Teacher
• “Before this project, we didn’t know how to help our children. Now we have a safe place to go and people we can trust. This project has given us hope.” – Parent

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

The Community Mental Health Support project has shown that with the right care, young people can heal, regain confidence, and find hope for the future. Yet the demand far outweighs current resources. Thousands of children and youth in Cameroon’s conflict-affected areas still face trauma, stigma, and barriers to care.

With your partnership, we can:

• Expand Community Wellbeing Centres to reach more villages.
• Establish additional school mental health clubs so students have safe spaces to talk and learn.
• Train more teachers, social workers, and community leaders to become lay counselors.
• Sustain mobile clinics to bring specialized care to those in need.
• Strengthen advocacy with government stakeholders to make mental health education a nationwide practice in schools and to integrate community-based mental health care into the public health system.

Your support can help us scale this model, ensuring that every young person—no matter their background or circumstance—has access to compassion, healing, and hope. Together, we can transform lives through community-based mental health care.