After Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine, Iryna,* a young mother from the Chernihiv region, started caring for her two young children alone after her husband was deployed to the frontlines. Supporting both her own parents and her husband’s family, she felt overwhelmed by constant anxiety and responsibility, with little time to care for herself.

It wasn’t until Iryna learned about the “Protect Her” Safe Space, a community initiative designed to support women during times of crisis, that her life began to shift. Initially, she attended so her daughter could participate in a creative workshop. But with each visit, she gradually started participating herself, painting, decorating, and creating alongside other women.

Encouraged by this experience, Iryna began attending group psychosocial support sessions. Through these spaces, she found not only creative expression, but also a sense of connection and understanding. She learned practical ways to manage stress and, for the first time in a long while, began to make space for herself.

*Client Name changed to protect confidentiality

Rose,* a 52-year-old woman from Pader District in Uganda, lived for years with untreated medical complications stemming from trauma during the LRA conflict. The condition caused persistent pain and symptoms that led to stigma in her community—neighbors kept their distance, her children were ridiculed, and Rose withdrew from daily life. Though she sought care, the cost of specialized treatment remained out of reach.

In early 2024, Rose heard that our TFV project was supporting patients with complex health needs at the local Health Center. With HealthRight’s support, Rose finally received a clear diagnosis and underwent a successful surgical procedure. For the first time in years, she began to experience relief from the pain that had defined her daily life.

Through HealthRight’s psychosocial support program, Rose also joined a counseling group with fellow survivors. There, she learned practical ways to manage stress, rebuild her confidence, and reconnect with others. Rose also joined a village savings group supported by HealthRight, helping her regain financial stability and support her household.

Today, she is back to working on her farm, contributing to her family’s well-being, and participating actively in her community. With access to both medical treatment and psychosocial support, Rose has been able to move beyond years of pain and isolation toward a life of dignity, stability, and renewed hope.

*Client Name changed to protect confidentiality

Daisy Malinga, a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Kitale County Hospital, has long worked with patients facing severe mental health conditions, often seeing them only after their situations have escalated. Through HealthRight’s SACCO project, she experienced a different approach: bringing care directly into communities. “At the hospital, most patients come with severe cases,” she explains. “But at the outreach sites, we found people coming earlier.”

Working alongside HIV testing counselors and community health providers, Daisy helped deliver mental health screenings and support in community settings. These outreach efforts not only expanded access to care but also created space for education in areas where misconceptions about mental health remain common. “Most of the time, people don’t even know what mental health is,” she says. “This was a platform to share that knowledge and reduce stigma.”

The program also strengthened coordination between community and clinical care. By involving community-based providers, the project helped address a critical gap in follow-up care. “Before, many patients would come for one session and disappear,” Daisy notes. “Now, with community providers, they can be followed up where they live.”

For Daisy, the impact is clear. By expanding the network of trained providers and meeting people where they are, HealthRight has made mental health care more accessible, more continuous, and more responsive to community needs.

*Client Name changed to protect confidentiality