Blogs - Mental Health Data Prize Africa

Nothing About Us, Without Us: Rethinking Mental Health Data in Africa

Apr. 13, 2026 | by MHDP Editor | Blogs

By Benta Wambui - Counseling Psychologist, and Onyango Otieno - Mental Health Advocate, with contributions from Christine Ger Ochola - Communications Officer (APHRC) and Ann Waithaka - Senior Communications Officer (APHRC) Millions of people across Africa experience anxiety, depress..

Healing Through Connection in Hoima

Jan. 13, 2026 | by MHDP Editor | Media Center | Blogs

By Barbara Kemigisha & Etheldreda Nakimli Mpungu

In Hoima, Barbara, one of our team members, noticed something that did not sit right with her. Health centers were organizing support groups for people living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). They offered transport allowances an..

Redefining Mental Health Research Through Lived Experience

Sep. 13, 2025 | by MHDP Editor | Media Center | Blogs

By Benta Wambui - Counseling Psychologist, and Onyango Otieno - Mental Health Advocate

Across Africa, a quiet transformation is unfolding in how mental health research is being done. The Mental Health Data Prize Africa (MHDPA), an initiative led by the African Population and Health Resear..

Powering a New Era of Mental Health in Africa Through Data

Aug. 13, 2025 | by MHDP Editor | Media Center | Blogs

By Christine Ger with contributions from Ann Waithaka and Sylvia Muyingo

Across Africa, a quiet revolution in mental health is underway - one powered by data, innovation, and a new generation of African researchers and changemakers.

Over the past year, more than 2,000 African prof..

#BehindClosedDoors: Recognizing the Silent Struggles of Mental Health

Dec. 9, 2024 | by MHDP Editor | Media Center | Blogs

Despite increasing awareness, mental health remains stigmatized, leading to discrimination, misunderstanding, and inadequate support. One of the greatest challenges in recent years has been gaining widesprea..

The Journey of Mental Health Data Prize Africa #DrivingInnovation

Oct. 14, 2024 | by MHDP Editor | Media Center | Blogs

Since the launch of the Mental Health Data Prize Africa (MHDPA) in December 2023, the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) has achieved great strides toward its mission of better understanding Africa's mental health challenges and developing scalable solutions. The first phase of..

Applications open for the Mental Health Data Prize - Africa 2024

Jul. 1, 2024 | by MHDP Editor | Media Center | Blogs

NAIROBI, July 01, 2024—The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), in partnership with Wellcome, has today begun receiving applications for the Mental Health Data Prize—Africa 2024. This prize seeks to bridge critical gaps in the understanding of anxiety, depression, and psychosis..

How can we engage people with lived experiences experts to enhance research and mental health care and services in Africa?

Dec. 22, 2023 | by MHDP Editor | Media Center | Blogs

By Charity Muturi and Amisa Rashid

Access to mental health services remains a significant challenge for over 116 million people across Africa. This is due to, among other challenges, cultural and spiritual beliefs, inadequate human resources and infrastructure, financing constraints, lega..