LEHEMA team
ABOUT US
Home About Us
Our Story

Who We Are &
Why We Exist

A registered mental health initiative dedicated to empowering Malawian youth with knowledge, resources, and the resilience to thrive.

LEHEMA workshop session
2020
Year Founded
500+
Youth Reached
Background

Born From a Crisis,
Built for a Generation

LEHEMA was established in 2020 amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the significant gaps in mental health support and awareness across Malawi, our founder — Dr. Mary Shalom Nkunika — set out to build something meaningful and lasting.

The initiative was founded with a mission to provide accessible mental health support, education, and advocacy. LEHEMA works to bridge the disparities in mental health care delivery by providing mental health first aid, addressing stigma, and raising awareness — ensuring that affected individuals and communities receive the assistance they need to lead healthier, fulfilling lives.

Why We Exist

Rising mental health challenges among Malawian youth

Deep-rooted stigma and widespread misinformation about mental health

Limited access to affordable, quality psychosocial support services

A high and growing rate of suicide in the youthful population

View Our Goals
Our Direction

Vision & Mission

"
Our Vision

A Malawi with young people empowered with mental health knowledge, resources and skills — leading to a society of well informed and resilient youths.

"
Our Mission

Educating youths on their mental health by providing basic mental health information both physically and virtually in Malawi.

Meet the Team

Executive Members

Dr. Mary Shalom Nkunika
Dr. Mary Shalom Nkunika
Managing Director & Founder

Medical Doctor, Mental Health Educator, Researcher, and Advocate. Founded LEHEMA in 2020 with the vision to set the mentally captive free.

Dr. Micheal Udedi
Dr. Micheal Udedi
Public Mental Health Specialist, Advisor & Mentor
Counsel Peter Matsimbe
Counsel Peter Matsimbe
Legal Advisor
Apatsa Chizimba
Apatsa Chizimba
Director of Media & Administration
Martin Lipato
Martin Lipato
Project Coordinator
Tamara Chikuta
Tamara Chikuta
Administration Officer
The Frontline

Mental Health First Aiders

Dr Mary Shalom Nkunika
Dr. Mary Shalom Nkunika
Dr Olive Simbota
Dr. Olive Simbota
Apatsa Chizimba
Apatsa Chizimba
Madalitso Muhemeri
Madalitso Muhemeri
Maureen Kalulu
Maureen Kalulu
Patience M'mangisa
Patience M'mangisa
Esther Malunga
Esther Malunga
Innocent Kwakwala
Innocent Kwakwala
Content Design
Martin Lipato
Martin Lipato
Content Design
Bright Lungu
Bright Lungu
Content Design
Communication & Marketing
Marcia Wawanya-Kamanga
Marcia Wawanya-Kamanga
Comms & Marketing
Christabel Alaoma
Christabel Alaoma
Comms & Marketing
Cynthia Mtseka
Cynthia Mtseka
Comms & Marketing
Fiskan Gabriel
Fiskan Gabriel
Comms & Marketing
Want to Know What
We're Working Towards?