Transforming Mental Health Across Latin America

Evidence-based care delivered by communities and institutional partners

The Need

In Ecuador, nearly three out of four people living with poor mental health go without support.

The consequences extend far beyond emotional suffering, shaping health, livelihoods, and life expectancy. That’s why Vida Plena trains communities to bring effective support directly to those who need it most.

Current locations: Quito, Imbabura

Planned Expansions: Amazon / coastal regions

See Our Approach

Our Solution

How We’re Transforming Mental Health Care

We scale evidence-based mental health care through direct services and implementation partnerships, training community facilitators and supporting governments to build sustainable, locally led systems.

Community & Partner Training

Community Outreach & Partner Implementation

Community-led Support Groups & Ongoing Technical Support

Depression Reduced While Building Sustainable Mental Health Systems

We train local community members to deliver the World Health Organization’s top-recommended depression treatment. Our facilitators are trusted neighbors who understand their community’s needs.

Learn more about our proven model

Our Impact

Proven Results Across Ecuador

Evidence-based care delivered by communities creates lasting change

%

with clinical depression clinically improved or recovered

%

sustain improvement 6 months later

people treated in our first 3 years

USD only, trains one facilitator to treat 400 people a year

View Full Results

These results represent real people whose lives have been transformed through community-powered mental health care.

Voices from our communities

Shirley, 44

“The emotional support sessions came as a gift from heaven when I most needed it. The group gave me empathetic friends and showed me there are always reasons to keep going.”

Carla, 27

“The group helped me understand I could make big changes, both within myself and in society. I know I’m not alone and that I have a community that supports me.”

Katherine

“This space allowed me to see that I am not alone and that, by helping others, I also helped myself.”