Our Story

Strengthening Mental Health Systems Across the Lake Victoria Basin

The Lake Region Community Mental Health Conference is a regional platform bringing together people with lived experience, caregivers, mental health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and community organizations to strengthen mental health systems.

The conference promotes community-driven solutions, lived experience leadership, and cross-country collaboration to improve mental health prevention, care, and recovery.

Organised by TINADA Youth Action Africa and supported by CBM Global and Comic Relief, the conference draws participants from six East African nations united around the Lake Victoria Basin.

Participating Countries

🇰🇪 Kenya

🇺🇬 Uganda

🇹🇿 Tanzania

🇷🇼 Rwanda

🇧🇮 Burundi

🇨🇩 DR Congo

Community mental health gathering in East Africa

Why This Conference Matters

Mental Health at the Heart of Community Resilience

Mental health challenges in the Lake Region are shaped by poverty, displacement, conflict, climate change, and limited access to services. Communities have developed strong peer support systems, family networks, and grassroots initiatives that support recovery and resilience.

Amplify Lived Experience

Center those most affected in conversations that shape policy and practice across the region.

Share Research & Innovation

Disseminate evidence-based approaches and community-tested innovations from across East Africa.

Regional Collaboration

Build cross-border partnerships and knowledge exchange across the Lake Victoria Basin nations.

Influence Policy & Systems

Drive systemic change through advocacy, dialogue, and collective regional action.

Conference Programme

Key Conference Highlights

Keynote addresses from regional and global mental health leaders
Lived experience storytelling sessions
Research presentations and policy dialogue
Community mental health innovation showcases
Youth and mental health forums
Art therapy and healing sessions
Exhibition of mental health innovations

About LRMHC 2026