By Our Special Correspondent
Mental health experts have commended the efforts of the Tanzania Mental Health Journalists Organization (TAMHJO) to bring journalists and mental health professionals together, saying the platform has a significant role to play in shaping the mental health agenda through the media sector in Tanzania.
The experts made the remarks during an online session organized by TAMHJO on August 9, 2026, which featured a discussion titled, “What Role Does the Media Play in Strengthening Mental Health in the Community?”
The session was opened by TAMHJO President, Veronica Mrema, who said TAMHJO is a platform for mental health journalists established to bridge the gap that existed between mental health professionals and journalists.
Mrema said that, so far, TAMHJO has enhanced the knowledge and understanding of more than 100 journalists through online and in-person training as part of efforts to ensure that the media sector effectively participates in educating the public about mental health.
She said TAMHJO was formally established following views expressed by mental health professionals during the first national mental health dialogue held at JNICC in 2022, where it became clear that there was a need to appropriately involve the media sector so that communities could access accurate information that would help them build better mental health.
She said TAMHJO’s mission is to ensure that journalists receive adequate knowledge and cooperation from professionals so that they can accurately write and report on mental health issues, while the information they provide helps educate the public.
During the session, TAMHJO Vice President, Dr. Raymond N. Mgeni, explained how various studies have demonstrated the importance of the media in mental health issues, citing studies conducted in Ethiopia (Anbessie et al., 2023) that examined the role of the media and public understanding of mental health.
Dr. Mgeni explained the importance of using research evidence in mental health journalism, emphasizing the need to continue strengthening collaboration between mental health professionals and journalists so that the information reaching the public is accurate and beneficial to the community.
The experts said there is still a significant gap in mental health awareness within communities. Therefore, the existence of a platform that brings professionals and journalists together is important in ensuring that accurate information reaches the public and helps reduce fear, stigma and misconceptions about mental health.
Speaking during the session, retired psychiatrist Dr. Jessie Mbwambo said there is still a challenge in distinguishing between mental health, mental illnesses and mental health challenges, emphasizing the importance of continuing to build journalists’ understanding of these issues.
Meanwhile, Dr. Leah Natujwa Omari, a sociologist, said many people still lack sufficient understanding of mental illnesses, and therefore the media should continue providing space for experts so that communities can receive accurate information.
Dr. Leah also emphasized the importance of giving people with lived experience of mental health challenges an opportunity to share their testimonies, saying such experiences can help build understanding within communities.
“Education should be provided by mental health professionals, but it is also important to give survivors an opportunity to share their testimonies, because they help build understanding within the community,” she said.
For her part, Mama Lucy Chikongoye from TEWWY (Tap Elderly Women’s Wisdom for Youth) said TAMHJO has a major role to play in changing society’s perception of mental health, moving from fear and stigma towards understanding.
She said many people still do not know what mental health is, and therefore the platform should continue its efforts to ensure that education reaches the public through the media.
Meanwhile, Tumaini Mzengi from Arusha said TAMHJO should be sustained because of the significant need for mental health education within communities.
He said mental health is a broad agenda that affects people’s lives in different ways, particularly young people who face challenges such as stress, unemployment, relationship and marital difficulties.
He added that peer pressure, music and the arts, as well as life expectations portrayed within society, can increase challenges for some young people when they fail to achieve what they see or desire.
He further said that challenges related to body image, including dissatisfaction with being overweight or underweight, as well as scars resulting from accidents, can also affect a person’s well-being and contribute to stress and other mental health challenges.
Nankondo Mtaita, a Nursing Officer, said mental health programmes should be sustained on radio and television, while newspapers should continue publishing articles aimed at educating the public.
She said collaboration between journalists and professionals is important in helping citizens understand how to protect their mental health, recognize when they need services and know where to access those services.
She said some people still seek help from traditional healers because they lack sufficient knowledge about the mental health services available.
From the journalists’ perspective, Christina Mwakangale, a journalist with Nipashe, said there is still a challenge of some psychology professionals being unwilling to speak to journalists when they require interviews for news stories or articles.
She said closer collaboration between professionals and journalists could help ensure that mental health stories are prepared accurately and in accordance with professional expertise.
Speaking during the session, psychiatrist Dr. Saidi Kuganda thanked the professionals and journalists who participated, saying the discussion had demonstrated the importance of continuing such collaboration.
He said journalists should use their pens effectively so that communities can gain a better understanding of mental health, recognize early warning signs and take action at an early stage.
“This should continue, and journalists should continue to use your pens effectively so that communities can gain understanding, recognize early signs and take action early,” he said.
Chapisha Maoni