Making mental health work

50 million young people face mental health challenges, yet most can't access care. We've built one of the world's most cost-effective models to deliver proven care at scale.

McGovern Shamiri former Supervisor from Kisumu Hub; Wellspring Philanthropic Fund documentary

Flipping the innovation pyramid: Building in Africa, for the world

Building Africa's mental health moonshot

Traditional mental health systems are failing—they're costly, depend on scarce professionals, and can't scale. We're proving a different approach: evidence-based interventions delivered by trained young adults in schools and communities. Clinically proven, technology-powered, and designed for scale, our approach is not a Western adaptation—it's African innovation setting a new global standard.

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Shamiri means "thrive". We're building a future where young people thrive.

The Problem

The youth mental health crisis is a defining challenge of our time

The Youth Mental Health Crisis

1 in 4 young people struggle with depression or anxiety globally

Over half begin in adolescence; 60% persist into adulthood. Untreated, these conditions damage health, livelihoods, and lives.

70% of youth globally—and 90% in East Africa—cannot access care

Traditional models fail at scale. They're expensive, professional-dependent, and rely on infrastructure that doesn't exist.

Economic pressure, social media, displacement—new stressors are worsening youth mental health globally, especially in Africa. As the world's youngest continent, Africa's future depends on youth mental health investment.

Students in brown school uniforms sitting on chairs outdoors during a shamiri group session at Kiatineni Secondary School.

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We are delivering effective mental health support to all young people, starting in East Africa

Our Solution

The Shamiri Model: Clinically effective care designed for scale

One of the world's most cost-effective youth mental health models. Our "for-youth-by-youth" approach trains young people to deliver strengths-based interventions in their communities. Youth learn practical skills in group sessions—with clear referral pathways when escalated support is needed.

The Shamiri Model

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The Shamiri Model

A Three-Tier Task-Shifting Approach

WHO-endorsed task-shifting. Young providers (Fellows, 18-24) deliver group sessions after 10 hours training. Semi-professionals (Supervisors) provide oversight and one-on-one support. Licensed professionals handle complex cases. Needs-based care at every level.

Backed by Science

Multiple gold-standard trials prove it works. 80% of youth show meaningful improvement after four sessions, with benefits lasting two years. Participants report better academics, stronger relationships, and improved long-term outcomes.

Powered by Technology

shamiriOS automates logistics, tracks quality, and delivers real-time feedback. shamiriAI ensures sessions meet standards. Offline-first, multilingual, and integrated with local and national systems—enabling partners and governments to scale sustainably.

As seen on TED

A new way to help young people with their mental health

Effective mental health care at scale doesn't require expensive models—it requires smart innovation, proximate leadership, and rigorous evidence.

Hear our Founder Tom Osborn on the TED Stage explain how our community-first, youth-oriented model helps young people worldwide thrive.

Impact at scale

Africa's largest youth mental health provider. From 3,000 to 100,000 youth annually in three years. Our growth proves the model works: clinically effective, cost-effective, and designed for partner and system adoption

View our impact

200k+

Youths served since 2021

3,000+

Providers trained and meaningfully employed

80%+

No longer meet criteria for depression and anxiety

$7

Cost-per-youth-client served