COALITION FOR SCALING MENTAL HEALTH

Accessible mental healthcare in communities globally.
Coalition for Scaling mental health Hero Image
Friendship bench/CSMH CSMH/ Shamiri Institute

Transforming mental health, together.

The Coalition for Scaling Mental Health (CSMH) is a global network of organizations dedicated to transforming mental health care by making it accessible to all. We are united by a mission to deliver evidence-based mental health solutions through lay-provider models. Together, we empower communities, elevate frontline implementers, and advocate for sustainable integration of mental health care into existing systems.

OUR SHARED PRINCIPLES

Our work is guided by five core principles that shape our mission to make mental health care accessible, inclusive, and impactful.
1

Task-shifting to lay providers

  • We prioritize empowering community members to deliver mental health care, breaking barriers like stigma and cost while addressing personnel shortages in low-resource settings.
2

training & supervision

  • Continuous training and structured guidance ensure lay providers deliver high-quality, evidence-based care that meets the needs of their communities.
3

equity & compensation

  • We believe in fair compensation for all contributors, valuing the expertise of everyone involved, from lay providers to administrative staff, to support sustainable livelihoods.
4

Evidence-based practices

  • Our interventions are grounded in rigorous research, ensuring they are culturally relevant, adaptable, and responsive to evolving community needs.
5

Integration within systems

  • We collaborate with established healthcare, education, and caregiving systems to ensure comprehensive, sustainable mental health support that fits seamlessly into everyday life.

why these five principles?

read our white paper

our shared values

We value inclusivity, collaboration, and equity, amplifying diverse voices, sharing resources, and empowering frontline implementers.

About us

The Coalition for Scaling Mental Health (CSMH) is a global network of organizations committed to bridging the mental health treatment gap by making high-quality care accessible to all. Founded by Friendship Bench, Shamiri Institute, StrongMinds, and Ubuntu Center for Peace, CSMH brings together implementers, researchers, and advocates to pioneer innovative, community-driven solutions tailored to local contexts, particularly in low-resource settings.

At the heart of our mission is the belief that mental health care should be available in the communities where people live. We champion task-shifting to lay providers, empowering individuals within these communities to deliver evidence-based mental health services. This model not only reduces barriers like stigma and cost but also strengthens local systems of care.

Through collaboration, we aim to transform mental health support globally—ensuring more people receive the care they need while fostering thriving, resilient communities. Whether through advocacy, research, or on-the-ground implementation, CSMH is dedicated to creating a world where mental health is accessible to everyon

SCMH About Us

Our mission

Accessible mental healthcare in communities globally.

Our big idea

Lay mental health services delivered to people in the communities in which they live.

What we do

Advocacy & dialogue

Research & evidence

Pioneering lay-provider innovation

Towards a unified measure

Our members

Friendship Bench LogoShamiri Institute Logo StrongMinds LogoUbuntu Center for Peace Logo

Join the coalition

stay connected with csmh

Friendship bench/CSMH

By joining our mailing list, you’ll receive quarterly updates on our initiatives, research findings, advocacy efforts, and opportunities to collaborate. Be the first to learn about upcoming events, publications, and ways to get involved in scaling evidence-based mental health interventions.

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