Mental Health Tanzania, United Republic of Project #43579

Support Mental Health Care & Psychosocial Support

by Tap Elderly Women's Wisdom for Youth

Support Mental Health Care & Psychosocial Support

Project Report | May 19, 2026
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support

By Rustica Tembele | Project Leader

TEWWY Mental Health and Social Support Report Introduction

During the reporting period, TEWWY continued to provide mental health and psychosocial support services to members of the community facing different life challenges. On average, the organization reached about 168 clients per week through counseling, advocacy, education, and awareness activities.

Many of the people who sought help were dealing with emotional stress, financial difficulties, family problems, and mental health concerns that continue to affect their daily lives and well-being.

Major Issues and Complaints Reported Health Challenges

A large number of clients reported struggling with both physical and mental health problems. Many people were experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion, often made worse by difficult living conditions and lack of support services.

Grief and Loss

Cases of grief were also common. Several clients were coping with the loss of loved ones, which left them emotionally distressed and struggling to move forward with their normal lives.

Financial Difficulties

Poor income status remains one of the biggest challenges affecting many families. Clients shared concerns about unemployment, low household income, and the inability to provide for basic needs such as food, healthcare, and education. These financial struggles continue to place heavy emotional pressure on families.

Family Problems

TEWWY also handled many cases involving family misunderstandings, conflicts between partners, and breakdowns in communication within households. In some situations, these conflicts negatively affected children and contributed to emotional distress among family members.

Relationship and Sexual Crises

Young people in particular reported challenges related to relationships, including infidelity, emotional abuse, and unhealthy sexual relationships. These situations often resulted in stress, trauma, and feelings of hopelessness.

Education-Related Challenges

Many parents and guardians expressed concern over their inability to pay school fees for their children because of poor financial conditions. This has affected children’s education and increased stress within families. The issue strongly connects with Bulletin 3, which highlights the impact of poverty on vulnerable households.

Sexual Abuse Cases

TEWWY received disturbing reports of sexual abuse involving children and young people. Some victims experienced severe emotional trauma, depression, and suicidal thoughts as a result of the abuse. These cases show the urgent need for stronger child protection and mental health support services within communities.

Addiction and Substance Abuse

Addiction was another major issue affecting individuals and families. Many people struggling with addiction lose control over their actions and continue using drugs, alcohol, or other harmful substances despite the negative impact on their health, relationships, and livelihoods. Substance abuse has contributed to broken families, job loss, and worsening mental health conditions.

Recommendations

TEWWY should continue strengthening and expanding its Mental Health Program through advocacy, education, and information-sharing activities so that more people can access support and awareness services.
More support is needed for vulnerable families through income-generating programs and educational assistance to help reduce financial pressure and school dropout rates.
Community leaders, schools, and stakeholders should work together to strengthen child protection systems and respond quickly to cases of sexual abuse and violence.
Awareness campaigns and rehabilitation support for people struggling with addiction should also be increased to help affected individuals recover and rebuild their lives.

Conclusion

The challenges reported during this period show that many individuals and families in the community continue to face serious social, emotional, and economic difficulties. Despite these challenges, TEWWY remains committed to supporting vulnerable people through counseling, advocacy, education, and mental health awareness programs. With stronger partnerships and increased support from government and other stakeholders, TEWWY can continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people it serves.

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Jan 20, 2026
Disruption in Sustaining Psychosocial Support

By Rustica Tembele | Project Leader

TEWWY has continued its commitment to strengthening psychosocial wellbeing in Makumbusho Ward, specifically serving the LGAs of Minazini and Kisiwani. Through October 22, 2025, TEWWY provided consistent, community based psychosocial support to individuals and families facing emotional distress and mental health challenges. This work reflects TEWWY’s core mission of increasing access to psychosocial care at the grassroots level.

Temporary Suspension of In Person Services
On October 29, 2025, the country held nationwide elections involving leadership positions at all levels of government. In the weeks leading up to the election, political disruptions escalated, resulting in widespread paralysis of public activity. In alignment with government guidance and out of concern for community safety, TEWWY temporarily suspended in person counseling services after October 22, 2025.

Continuity of Care During Political Disruptions
Despite the suspension of field based activities, TEWWY remained responsive to community needs. During this period, the organization continued providing psychosocial counseling through mobile phone support to individuals seeking care. This remote approach ensured continuity of emotional support during a time of heightened uncertainty and stress.

Advocacy and Awareness Innovation
Following the pause in LGA based interventions, TEWWY adapted its strategy to maintain community engagement and awareness. In preparation for World Suicide Day, the organization developed advocacy messages focused on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and emotional wellbeing.

These messages are written on blackboards and displayed on the exterior wall of TEWWY’s offices, where they are visible to community members passing by. Each message remains on display for two weeks before being replaced with new content. This low cost, highly visible advocacy approach has generated meaningful engagement, as demonstrated by the volume of questions and conversations initiated by community members. Early observations indicate that this strategy is increasing awareness and prompting reflection and dialogue around mental health issues.

Planning for Program Resumption
TEWWY is actively preparing to resume in person counseling services in February 2026. In advance of this restart, the organization is sharing its April to August 2025 implementation report with regional, municipal, ward, and LGA authorities. TEWWY is also in ongoing discussions with local government leaders and Ward Welfare Committees to ensure alignment and readiness.

Final decisions regarding the exact location of resumed services will be guided by municipal authority recommendations. TEWWY remains flexible and responsive, prioritizing areas where the need is greatest and where services can be delivered effectively and safely.

Looking Ahead
TEWWY’s ability to adapt during a period of political disruption demonstrates the organization’s resilience, community trust, and commitment to mental health access. With donor support, TEWWY will continue strengthening psychosocial services, expanding awareness efforts, and ensuring that individuals in vulnerable communities are not left without support during times of instability.

We are deeply grateful for your partnership and continued belief in TEWWY’s mission. Your support enables us to remain present, innovative, and responsive to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

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Sep 19, 2025
Ongoing Psychosocial Support in Makumbusho Ward

By Rustica Tembele | Project Leader

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.

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