As the world marked World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) highlighted new research showing how peer support can strengthen hope, social connection and recovery among people living with severe mental health conditions.

The 2026 theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” emphasised the importance of listening to people with lived experience of mental health challenges and involving them in shaping the support and services they receive.

In a recent study published in Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, researchers found that improvements in hope and social inclusion were associated with better personal recovery and health and social functioning among people living with severe mental health conditions. The study involved 565 participants across six research sites in Germany, Uganda, Tanzania, India and Israel.

The research was part of the international UPSIDES trial, which examined the potential benefits of structured peer support. Tanzania participated through research conducted in Dar es Salaam, with Ifakara Health Institute researchers Mary Ramesh and Donat Shamba among the study authors.

The findings highlighted the importance of shared experiences, understanding and trust in mental health support, reinforcing the value of listening to people with lived experience and ensuring their voices inform research and services.

IHI Hosted Internal Mental Health Master Class

In commemoration of World Mental Health Day 2026, IHI hosted an internal online master class for staff titled “Healthy Minds, Healthy Teams, Stronger Research” on Monday, 19 October 2026, at 09:00 EAT.

The session explored practical strategies for managing stress, protecting mental well-being and building supportive research teams.

Dr. Garvin Nathaniel Kweka, Mental Health Trainer, shared insights on mental well-being and research performance, including strategies for navigating workplace pressure. Sophia Khalid Byanaku, Founder and Managing Director of Bloom Wellness Foundation, discussed building psychologically healthy teams and fostering a culture where seeking and offering support is encouraged.

The session was moderated by Ifakara scientists Fadhila Kihwele and Farida Katunzi, providing staff with an opportunity for open discussion and reflection on the importance of supporting the people behind IHI’s scientific work.

Listening to Lived Experiences for Meaningful Change

Through research and internal engagement, IHI reaffirmed the importance of listening to lived experiences, strengthening social connections and creating supportive environments that promote mental well-being.

On World Mental Health Day, Ifakara recognised the importance of making lived experiences heard and turning these voices into meaningful change.