Together for inclusion (TOFI) in Ethiopia

Youth Mental Health Norway supports the organization Natanim Charitable Organization through TOFI funds under three thematic areas, together we work to strengthen the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

• Human Rights Advocacy
• Inclusive Education
• Economic Empowerment

Natanims primary focus is on providing individual and group therapy in schools, hospitals and the wider community. This work is reinforced and expanded via the TOFI funds.

Natanim also works for:

• Increased knowledge about mental health and challenging stigma related to mental health struggles among pupils, teachers and parents of children with mental health challenges.
  
• Inclusive education for students with mental health challenges: Teachers gain an increased understanding of methods for inclusive education, and get specific tools for communicating with students with mental health challenges.
  
• More effective and relevant referral of students with mental health challenges: Teachers and counsellors in schools become more able to refer students with mental health needs to relevant government agencies or organizations specializing in mental health.
  
• Impact work: working with parent committees, school management and politicians to ensure that psychologists are hired in schools.

TOFI Ethiopia is a two-year project. The funds are provided by Norad and coordinated through the umbrella organization Atlas Alliance.

Conflict, drought, flooding and the socioeconomic impact of Covid-19 continues to cause insecurity in Ethiopia. Political instability, armed conflict and community violence remains a critical concern across Ethiopia and recently the stability of the capital Addis Ababa has been threatened. Heightened competition over resources creates further inter-communal tension, violence, and displacement. Within this context, stigma, discrimination and exclusion on the grounds of mental health make life even more difficult for adults and young people alike, making the need for accessible professional psychosocial support critical.

Youth Mental Health Norway work closely with our partner in Addis Ababa to plan for and mitigate risk while delivering activities in the safest and most sustainable way possible.