Mental Health Users and Cares Association (MeHUCA)
MeHUCA is a non-governmental, volunteer-based organisation established in 2010 and officially launched in 2012. MeHUCA works directly with users of mental health services and their carers. Their primary objective is to promote and protect the rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities by creating an environment where they can thrive without stigma and discrimination. MeHUCA’s main areas of focus are psychosocial support (peer support), awareness raising and advocacy.
VISION
MeHUCA envisions people living with diverse Mental Health Conditions are able to express themselves and fulfill their human rights.
MISSION
To enhance the welfare of all people living with Mental health conditions, Psychosocial disabilities and to enable them to ensure their rightful role in society.
MeHUCA uses a number of social behaviour change communication strategies in their work, including lobbying and advocacy, media campaigns, door to door outreach, counselling and social peer support groups. They have established support groups in Blantyre, Mangochi, Mulanje, Ntcheu, Salima, Nkhotakota and Mzimba, bringing together users of mental health services and their carers to enhance social functioning and promote feelings of empowerment, confidence, self-esteem, inclusion, individual decision-making, autonomy and recovery. MeHUCA’s awareness campaigns focus on mental health and mental health conditions, gender based violence, psychosocial disabilities, human rights and where to access mental health services. Their campaigns aim to eliminate stigma and discrimination within communities.
Summary of activities:
•Establishment of peer-support groups in 7 districts and at the prison
•Trainings on mental health conditions and management, and human rights
•Awareness raising campaigns through national radios, community radios, television and on the ground campaigns
•MeHUCA also took a lead in advocating for the repealing of the 1948 Mental Treatment Act and the enactment of the new 2025 Mental Health Act (passed in parliament 10/04/2025)
To find out more about MeHUCA, contact:
Memory Bismarck,
Executive Director,
MeHUCA
Box 2430
Blantyre
+265 998 713 407
