Help us stop the stigma

Against people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders

The campaign is a collaboration between  people with lived experience , the County Government of Kilifi, Malindi Disctrict Cultural Association and  Documentary Institute of Eastern Africa

A MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN IN KILIFI COUNTY

Difu Simo, which means “Breaking Free” in the Kigiriama language, is a non-governmental organization based in Kilifi County, Kenya. Initially launched as a research project funded by the Wellcome Trust in 2019, it has evolved into a comprehensive mental and brain health resource center jointly run with the County Government of Kilifi. Our mission is to raise awareness, combat stigma, and foster early intervention for mental and neurological disorders through innovative, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive approaches.


Difu Simo uniquely bridges the gap between biomedical and traditional health practices. Through creative arts, participatory methods, and collaboration with stakeholders from diverse sectors, we empower communities to openly address the stigma surrounding mental health and improve access to care for individuals living with these conditions.

Difu Simo in Numbers

Number of community members engaged during the mental health awareness engagements

Walking person icon

Mental health awareness walks

0
Videos clapperboard icon
Participatory videos screenings and engagements
0
Community icon
Community outreaches
0
Mass campaign icon
People reached via mass campaigns
0 M
Reading book icon
Students engaged through tertiary learning institutions and mental health forums
0

The mission of our organization

Our mission is to raise awareness, combat stigma, and foster early intervention for mental and neurological disorders through innovative, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive approaches.

Education and training program

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.

Promoting wellness and security

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.

Responding swiftly to disasters

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.

Brighter tomorrow

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.

Difu simo logo

How we help?

What are we doing to empower our communities?

Home icon

Programs and Initiatives

Interactive workshops and events to educate communities about mental health. Targeted initiatives to reach underserved areas.

love icon

Research and Innovation

We collaborate with academic and research institutions to conduct studies and apply innovative methods to improve mental health awareness.

First aid kit icon

Training and Capacity Building

Training programs for people with lived experence to build their resilience against stigmatising attitudes and discriminatory behaviour

Publications

Effectiveness of participatory video in lowering stigma against people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders in Kenya

Various Authors

Priority mental, neurological and substance use disorders in rural Kenya

Various authors

Validating measures of stigma against those with mental illness among a community sample in Kilifi Kenya

Various authors

Join Our Mission

Email icon
Get Information

info@difusimo.org

What can you do to help?

Join Us in Making a Difference!
  • Donate Now

    Support mental health in Kilifi! Your donation helps provide essential care, fight stigma, and empower communities through culturally sensitive approaches. Give today and make a difference.

  • Take Action

    Get involved! Volunteer, advocate, or join our creative programs to raise awareness and support those affected by mental health challenges. Together, we can break the stigma.

  • Become a Partner

    Collaborate with us! We work with organizations, healthcare providers, and community leaders to improve mental health care access and equity. Partner with us for lasting impact.

Reviews

What People Say About Us

Our Team

Meet the team of people making it happen

Dr Mary Bitta

Project Principal Investigator
Mary is an implementation scientist at the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University and a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School’s Mental Health for All Lab.
Read More

Dr Mary Bitta

Project Principal Investigator
Mary is an implementation scientist at the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University and a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School’s Mental Health for All Lab.
Read More

Dr Mary Bitta

Project Principal Investigator
Mary is an implementation scientist at the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University and a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School’s Mental Health for All Lab.
Read More

Dr Mary Bitta

Project Principal Investigator
Mary is an implementation scientist at the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University and a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School’s Mental Health for All Lab.
Read More

James Kahindi

Field assistant
James has a background training in media and communications. He coordinates field activities including participant identification and recruitments and liaison with Kilifi County administrative officials.

Onyango Otieno

Mental health advocate
Onyango is a mental health advocate, poet, writer and storyteller. He practises storytelling to help individuals, communities and healing circles to tell their stories as a way to tackle mental health stigma.

Joseph Karisa Mwarandu

Mijikenda rights activist

Joseph is a Giriama lawyer and the Secretary General of the Malindi District Cultural Association (MADCA). As a representative of the Mijikenda Kaya Elders, he has been promoting traditional culture initiatives and advocating for human rights issues during the last two decades.

Emanuel Chengo Munyaya

Mijikenda rights activist

Emanuel is the Chairman of the Malindi District Cultural Association (MADCA). He is also a representative of the indigenous faith (ATR) in Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics representing the Mijikenda and other indigenous faith in the region. He has been leading traditional peace walk campaigns on the Kenyan coast for the past ten years.

DIFUSIMO A JOINT INITIATIVE BETWEEN

Kemri logo
Madca logo
Diea logo

News and Updates

Read latest news and Blogs

Insights on mental health topics, challenges in rural areas, and innovative solutions.

This Valentine’s Day, Difu Simo chose to celebrate in a different way—by engaging young men in Kilifi County on

On October 8th, 2024, in celebration of World Mental Health Day, the County Government of Kilifi officially launched the Difu

Join us now!

Become a part of this life-changing journey.

Your support creates hope.

Contact Us

Become A Volunteer

Scroll to Top