A building that once housed the Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health for over a decade was brought down to pave the way for a new development. As it came tumbling down, folding onto itself, so did a piece of history that began with Professor Ndetei and his students.

As the institute reflects on its 20-year journey of pioneering research, we travel down memory lane to document the milestones, challenges, and transformative moments to pay homage to the past and embrace the future.

The beginning
To trace the source of his research exploits, David Ndetei who is a distinguished professor of Psychiatry at the University of Nairobi reflects on a series of events that set him on the path of mental health research.

“In 1994 during the Rwanda genocide I was requested to provide psychosocial services to victims of the genocide because many of their professionals had been killed again in 1998 when the US embassy in Kenya was bombed, I was among those tapped to provide psychological services,” says Professor Ndetei who is also the founder of AFRIMEB.

The professor says that these tragedies were transformative at a professional level and catalyzed a surge in interest and research within the field of mental health services, leading to transformative advancements.

“Mental health services were now seen to be important because of the trauma people who had faced these tragedies endured,” he says.

Around 2002, while fulfilling his clinical and academic duties, the professor, along with a group of students, began actively conducting mental health research and subsequently established an archive for easy access by interested individuals.

All the work they were doing was self-funded and largely driven by a gap in mental health research.

It wasn’t until 2004 that the professor consolidated all the work into a non-governmental institution, naming it the Africa Mental Health Foundation.

Now in 2024, the institute has grown into a reputable mental health institute attracting partnerships and funding as well as generating exemplary research that has been referenced to create policy and guide intervention in mental health services.

A trove of old machines and memories  
Long before the advent of sleek, glossy computers were computers with elongated backs and protruding screens whose booting process left the air with labored whirring sounds.

“If you powered them you needed to give them a good one hour to power, enough time for you to run an errand and be back in the office,” says Dr Victoria with a quip as she pointed at one of the computers covered in a thin layer of dust in a storage room.

Most of them, Dr Victoria, co-founder, AFRIMEB says were a kind donation from donors.

Dr Victoria inched along an assortment of obsolete machines, and malfunctioning equipment occasionally pointing at devices that sparked nostalgic memories and offered glimpses of the past.

“Oh! I remember this fax machine,” she blurts out.

If you’re unfamiliar with fax machines do not fret, they are practically museum pieces now in the face of the digital era.

Long-serving Executive assistant Grace Mutevu who has spent years at the institution remembers the formative years with nostalgia, including those of sending fax documents.

“It was interesting how much has changed. We began with a lean staff working in Professor Ndetei’s office while he was seeing psychiatric patients and lecturing at the University of Nairobi,” she says.

She notes that as the organization blossomed so did she, gaining considerable knowledge in research and grant writing consequently expanding her professional horizon.  

“I have learned so much in mental health out of the activities that I undertake here, additionally I have become empathetic to people who are battling different mental health illnesses,” she says  
Through her years of experience at the front desk, Susan Muli the longest-serving staff at the institute has cultivated empathy for caregivers navigating the mental illness of their loved ones.

“Being the initial point of contact for visitors, I’ve had the privilege of meeting countless patients and caregivers. This experience has cultivated a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to providing compassionate care, even in challenging circumstances,” she says.

As a research institute that solely relies on funding to carry out its work and mandate, AFRIMEB has come a long way to accessing some of the most prestigious grants not to mention engaging with individuals and organizations that share in its vision.  

According to Grace one of the earliest grants was extended to the then foundation in 2006 by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The preceding grants have expanded in figures and scope of study.  

Staff expansion
The number of employees at AFRIMEB has grown incredibly, currently boasting a team of more than 20 employees working across different positions including project officers, research associates, finance officers, and more.

“Colleagues are supportive and easy to work with, the team spirit has been incredible and I have enjoyed working here,” said one of the staff members.