30-50% of Kenyan adolescents report clinical mental health problems but can’t or won’t get professional help because of stigma and a lack of expert caregivers. Shamiri Institute improves the mental health, life skills, and life outcomes of teenagers in Africa with a group psychotherapy program led by “near-peer” laypeople. They also identify students with intensive needs and refer them to additional tiers of support.

Tom is an entrepreneur, community mobilizer, and global mental health innovator. He co-founded Shamiri to make mental health affordable, personalized, and accessible for all. He is a TED Fellow and an Echoing Green Fellow. Tom was born and raised in rural Kenya. He graduated from Harvard with a degree in psychology.