Annual Flagship Event by WAYDS Tanzania
Launched in 2025, the Tanzania Mental Health Summit is an annual national convening hosted by WAYDS Tanzania that brings together stakeholders across the mental health ecosystem to drive transformational change. The summit serves as a dynamic platform for policymakers, practitioners, youth leaders, innovators, researchers, funders, and development partners to collectively shape the future of mental health in Tanzania.
At the core of the summit is a bold vision:
To normalize, prioritize, and innovate mental health care across all levels of society — from community to policy.
Through the summit, we aim to:
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Spotlight pressing mental health challenges across all demographics — particularly youth, women, people living with HIV, and underserved communities.
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Catalyze multi-sector collaboration between government, NGOs, academia, private sector, and grassroots organizations.
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Showcase innovations and scalable solutions in mental health service delivery, digital health, and community-based care.
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Elevate youth-led action by providing a national platform for young people to share lived experiences and co-create solutions.
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Influence policy and resource allocation through evidence-based dialogues, strategy workshops, and commitments from high-level stakeholders.
Our Approach:
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Annual Summit: Hosted in a different region of Tanzania each year to drive nationwide inclusivity and localized engagement.
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Youth & Community Focus: We center voices that are often marginalized — giving them space to lead, innovate, and inspire.
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Partnership-Driven: In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and a growing network of national and international partners.
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Impact-Oriented: Outcomes from each summit inform advocacy campaigns, implementation pilots, and mental health innovation labs throughout the year.
Why It Matters:
Mental health is not a siloed issue — it’s a foundational building block of national development. Through the Tanzania Mental Health Summit, WAYDS is forging a new future where mental wellness is seen, supported, and sustained.