Scaling
How did this pod shift our thinking and priorities?
This pod formed around the theme of scaling from the local to the global, an alternative to imposing top-down, one-size-fits-all mental health interventions. Pod members built on existing work to create new approaches to scaling. By focussing on evidence-based community interventions, they aim to support and stabilise the social infrastructures already in place.
In March 2022, the pod commissioned a thorough scoping review to identify gaps in the literature around scaling mental health interventions. The scoping review synthesised evidence of both successes and failures to scale effectively, including ‘grey’ literature and community voices alongside academic journals.
Together, the group defined ‘scaling up’ as: When an intervention that is shown to work needs to bring in new leadership to reach a larger area or a larger number of people.
Based on this definition and the scoping review, the pod commissioned a series of case studies illustrating the ‘scaled up’ community-based mental health interventions.
How did the pod do this?
Listen to this audio-summary of the group’s co-working process as it unfolded from January to July 2022:
What has the pod produced?
Read a summary of the pod’s work, synthesising the findings of the scoping review and case studies:
Explore our case studies in this interactive Miro board! Zoom in to learn about their scaling models:
Case Studies
The six organisations take distinct approaches to addressing unmet needs. They draw strength from local resources and community ties, and their founders have found creative ways to sustain and expand their original visions. Click for more!
Waves for Change
A trauma-informed mental health service supporting children from communities affected by violence, poverty and conflict through surfing.
Project Empower
Develops and implements interventions that prevent HIV and violence against women.
Buena Semilla
A grassroots collective supporting marginalized women and communities to reclaim their voice, wellbeing, self-authority and self-determination.
Basic Needs, Basic Rights Kenya
Supports people with mental disorders, those at risk, and caregivers to live and work successfully in their communities.
Strong Minds
A social enterprise that provides life-changing mental health services to impoverished African women.
Ekjut
Works with indigenous people, people living in the underserved districts and the urban homeless.
How could these learnings be applied?
Our case studies and summary report provide useful examples and recommendations for community-based mental health organisations. They also provide opportunities for connection and mutual learning between organisations and through initiatives like Ember Mental Health. We encourage anyone working in mental health to use these case studies as conversation starters within their own networks.