Hay Foundation; Africa’s Pioneering Path in Mental Health Advocacy

In 2016, Hay Foundation Africa embarked on a unique and innovative journey, using theatre arts as a powerful tool to tackle mental health challenges. This was not just a performance, but a bold experiment to harness the transformative power of drama for social change. This creative initiative led to the recognition of theatre’s potential to engage, educate, and inspire, transforming Hay Foundation Africa into a dynamic force that is reshaping conversations about mental health. Thus, a mission was born, dedicated to breaking barriers, fostering understanding, and promoting mental well-being through the art of storytelling and communal experience.

The foundation swiftly transformed into a champion for mental wellness. A tragic incident, the loss of lives on campus, served as a powerful catalyst for change, compelling the founders of Hay Foundation Africa to take courageous action. They refused to let grief and despair consume their community, choosing instead to channel their pain into a mission of compassion and understanding. With unwavering determination, they set out to create an environment where mental health is not stigmatised but embraced as an integral part of overall well-being. Through education, advocacy, and support, Hay

Hay Foundation Africa dismantles barriers that hinder individuals from seeking help, fostering a society where everyone feels empowered to prioritise their mental health.

Foundation Africa dismantles barriers that hinder individuals from seeking help, fostering a society where everyone feels empowered to prioritise their mental health. Functioning as a group of first responders, Hay Foundation Africa offers support and guidance to individuals needing professional mental health care through monthly support group gatherings, secure environments created for open discussions, nurturing dialogue, and promoting comprehension.

It officially launched in Accra, Ghana, in 2017 with the same agenda: arresting and addressing mental health issues in the region. The foundation is constantly engaged in ongoing research and education upon recognising the importance of staying informed about the latest developments in the field. Also, by participating in mental health communities and attending conferences, valuable insights are gained into emerging trends and innovative approaches to tackling mental health challenges. The foundation further expanded to Lagos, Nigeria, in 2019. Through this, the foundation continuously demonstrates its commitment to making a lasting impact on mental health issues in the West African region.

In its pursuit of excellence, the foundation recognises the significance of adopting a result-bearing approach to meet different communities’ unique needs and demands. By actively staying connected to mental health communities and participating in conferences, seminars, and research, the foundation helps ensure its strategies remain relevant, are not obsolete, and effectively address the evolving mental health challenge. These efforts empower the foundation to provide comprehensive support and resources to individuals struggling with mental health issues, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being of the communities it serves.

Hay Foundation Africa provides a comprehensive range of resources and support for individuals seeking assistance with their mental health. Services include an around-the-clock hotline, accessible first aid support forms, convenient email contact, and expertly designed workbooks. First aid support’s primary program offers free lay counselling provided by non-licensed or professionally trained therapists or counselors. Lay counselors typically do not have formal degrees in counseling or psychology but undergo specific training to offer essential support and assistance to individuals facing mental health challenges. In mental health, first aid programs, or initiatives, lay counseling involves equipping individuals with essential communication and empathetic listening skills to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Lay counsellors are trained to engage with individuals, offer emotional support, and guide them toward seeking professional help when needed. The emphasis is on active listening, empathy, and understanding rather than providing in-depth therapeutic interventions, which are typically the domain of licensed mental health professionals to individuals in need and facilitate connections to professional help when necessary. Success stories from Hay Foundation Africa highlight over two hundred and fifty trained lay counselors in four years. Support group events created safe spaces, fostering environments where people could trust one another. Also, because the foundation understands the weight of collaboration, it has consistently made it a part of its strategy to achieve the desired goal. This has, by extension, led to partnerships with mental health professionals, government institutions, and other organisations for various events promoting mental health awareness.

The foundation’s HAY Teens initiative is dedicated to promoting mental health first aid (MHFA) through informative workshops and engaging talks. It is specifically designed to educate and support young people and children. The initiative has also been conducted in various African countries, such as Nigeria, Uganda, and Ghana.

Hay Foundation Africa maintains a research team that aligns with cultural contexts. Support group events dispel the misconception that mental health is linked to spirituality.

Hay Foundation Africa’s Mental Health First Aid Course, a virtual training program, trains individuals and equips them with the skills needed to provide initial support to persons developing a mental health or substance abuse problem and help connect them to appropriate care. Mental Health First Aiders could be friends, family, teachers, colleagues, leaders, or community members. The program covers common signs and symptoms of mental illnesses and substance abuse, reflective listening, lay counselling, how to interact with a person in crisis, how to connect the person in crisis with help, and applying the ALGEE Action Plan.

The ALGEE Action Plan, a cornerstone of Hay Foundation Africa’s initiatives, stands as a guiding framework to empower individuals and provide initial support to those facing mental health challenges. ALGEE, an acronym for Assess, Listen, Give Support, Encourage Professional Help, and Encourage Other Supports, encapsulates a systematic approach to mental health first aid. Firstly, it emphasises the importance of assessing the situation and understanding the signs and symptoms of mental health issues. Listening attentively comes next, fostering a supportive environment where individuals feel heard and understood. Support is encouraged, and immediate assistance is offered while understanding the limits of lay counselling. The plan urges the encouragement of professional help, recognising the significance of connecting the person in crisis with appropriate care. Lastly, ALGEE emphasises the broader community, encouraging other support, such as family, friends, and community resources. Through the ALGEE Action Plan, Hay Foundation Africa equips individuals with practical skills and promotes a community-wide understanding of mental health support.

The foundation’s HAY Teens initiative is dedicated to promoting mental health first aid (MHFA) through informative workshops and engaging talks. It is specifically designed to educate and support young people and children.

Funding remained challenging, and Hay Foundation Africa sought sponsors, donors, and grants. The aspiration was to make its acronym HAY synonymous with mental health discussions in every African household, contributing to empathetic communities and safe spaces. This journey of Hay Foundation Africa, from the creative inception in Ghana to becoming a beacon of support for mental well-being, is not just a story of resilience but a narrative of continuous evolution and growth in pursuing mental health for all in Africa.