Users and Survivors of Psychiatry in Kenya (USPKenya)

Users and Survivors of Psychiatry in Kenya (USPKenya)

USPKenya is a membership organization whose major objective is to promote and advocate for the rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities in Kenya.

Mission statement

Mission of USPKenya is to enable people affected by mental illnesses (psychosocial disabilities) live and work successfully in their communities.

Summary of relevant work

USPKenya has three core areas of focus:

  1. Public Education and Awareness through Self Advocacy
  2. Legislation and Policy Participation
  3. Peer Support Groups (“Experts-By-Experience”)

We have 6 Peer Support Groups currently existing and running.  We have 1 Peer Support Group in Nairobi County.  There are 2 Peer Support Groups in Nyeri County.  There is 1 Peer Support Group in Nakuru County and 2 Peer Support Groups in Kiambu County

Key partners

Open Society Initiative for East Africa (OSIEA)

Open Society Foundation (OSF)

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR)

National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)

University of Glasgow

National University of Ireland in Galway (NUI Galway) through the Center for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP)

Funders

Open Society Foundation - Current

iFred (International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression) - 2012

Wellcome Trust (2010-2012) through the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) led by Project Leader Prof. Vikram Patel

Seeking collaboration with

Experts by experience/service users
Other organizations
Policy makers
Researchers

Details

Approach(es)
Advocacy
Empowerment and service user involvement
Human rights
Policy and legislation
Training, education and capacity building
Disorder(s)
Depression/anxiety/stress-related disorders
Psychosis/bipolar disorder
Self-harm/suicide
Region(s)
Africa
Population(s)
Disability
Country(s)
Kenya