TLDR: Vida Plena, which provides WHO-endorsed group therapy for depression in Ecuador, seeks $200,000 for behavioral science research, $50,000 for expansion to new regions, $9,600 annually to hire an additional Group Facilitator or $120 to provide treatment to one person.
I’m the co-founder of Vida Plena, a nonprofit organization tackling Ecuador’s mental health crisis through cost-effective, proven group therapy led by local leaders from vulnerable communities. We do this through the direct implementation of Group Interpersonal Therapy, which is the WHO’s recommended intervention for depression. We are the first to implement it in Latin America.
So far this year, we’ve made a positive impact on the lives of 500 individuals, consistently showing significant improvements in both depression and anxiety. Our strategic partnerships with local institutions are flourishing, laying the groundwork for our ambitious goal of scaling our reach to treat 2,000 people in 2024.
For this marginal funding proposal, we seek $200,000 to expand our work and research to apply behavioral science insights to further depression treatment in Latin America. This enhanced therapy model will be evaluated through rapid impact assessments, deepening the evidence base for our work, and culminating in a white paper and a RCT in 2025.
In addition to the “Enhancing g-IPT via Behavioral Science” proposal described above, there are several other ways that Vida Plena could benefit from additional, marginal funding:
$120 - Individual Support:
Provide comprehensive treatment for one person, covering 9 sessions and ongoing follow-ups.
Hiring an additional Community Facilitator will extend care to approximately 400 more individuals, ensuring continued support.
$50,000 - Expansion to New Region:
Facilitate our expansion into a new region in Ecuador. This includes the establishment of training and outreach teams, bringing vital mental health care to areas currently underserved and neglected, beyond our current operations in Quito.
TLDR: Vida Plena, which provides WHO-endorsed group therapy for depression in Ecuador, seeks $200,000 for behavioral science research, $50,000 for expansion to new regions, $9,600 annually to hire an additional Group Facilitator or $120 to provide treatment to one person.
See our full marginal funding forum post here.
I’m the co-founder of Vida Plena, a nonprofit organization tackling Ecuador’s mental health crisis through cost-effective, proven group therapy led by local leaders from vulnerable communities. We do this through the direct implementation of Group Interpersonal Therapy, which is the WHO’s recommended intervention for depression. We are the first to implement it in Latin America.
We launched in early 2022 (see our introductory EA forum post) and participated in the Charity Entrepreneurship Incubator program that same year. In the fall of 2022, we carried out a proof concept alongside Columbia University, which found positive results (see our internal report, and the report from the Columbia University Global Mental Health Lab).
So far this year, we’ve made a positive impact on the lives of 500 individuals, consistently showing significant improvements in both depression and anxiety. Our strategic partnerships with local institutions are flourishing, laying the groundwork for our ambitious goal of scaling our reach to treat 2,000 people in 2024.
For this marginal funding proposal, we seek $200,000 to expand our work and research to apply behavioral science insights to further depression treatment in Latin America. This enhanced therapy model will be evaluated through rapid impact assessments, deepening the evidence base for our work, and culminating in a white paper and a RCT in 2025.
In addition to the “Enhancing g-IPT via Behavioral Science” proposal described above, there are several other ways that Vida Plena could benefit from additional, marginal funding:
$120 - Individual Support:
Provide comprehensive treatment for one person, covering 9 sessions and ongoing follow-ups.
$800 Monthly / $9,600 Annually—Community Facilitator:
Hiring an additional Community Facilitator will extend care to approximately 400 more individuals, ensuring continued support.
$50,000 - Expansion to New Region:
Facilitate our expansion into a new region in Ecuador. This includes the establishment of training and outreach teams, bringing vital mental health care to areas currently underserved and neglected, beyond our current operations in Quito.