HBGI - Healthy Brains Global Initiative

Happier & healthier individuals and communities worldwide

Our mission is to fundamentally transform the effectiveness and efficiency of mental health systems and services; putting people first, focusing on outcomes that matter, and holding systems truly accountable.

A US registered 501c(3) and UK registered charity. Founded with the support of the WHO, World Bank, UNICEF, and the Wellcome Trust.

What Outcomes Matter to Me

"I would like to feel comfortable to talk to my family if I am struggling.”

Mother, South Africa

About HBGI

Our Story

1 in 2 of us will suffer a mental health disorder in our lifetimes. HBGI was founded in 2020, uniting world leaders across sectors to drive impact in response to our growing mental health crisis, taking an innovative outcomes-led approach.

Our Approach

We work with donors, governments and service providers to enhance performance of existing mental health programs and develop new ones. In all cases, better linking services to real outcomes to make sure they maximize their potential for users. Find out more.

Our People

We bring a highly experienced, international HBGI team alongside our Board, Advisory Council and Lived Experience Council.

Our Philosophy

Mental health underpins physical & social health

Mental health impacts everyone. There is no physical and social health without mental health.

Center individuals and their outcomes

We center individual lived experience to drive localized, culturally appropriate solutions with measurable outcomes.

Performance drives outcomes

Performance underpins our impact in driving efficient and effective programs. Data is rigorously and transparently tracked to achieve this.

Impact communities across the globe

We work with the most vulnerable individuals and under-resourced communities across the world to effect the greatest change.

Expertise & Projects

Our Expertise

We are experts in mental health program interventions and applying an outcomes based approach, including user-centered program design, performance management, outcomes measurement, contracting and innovative financing. We empower service providers to pursue interventions that catalyze change, and support partners to build capacity to sustain high-performing programs and systems.

Our Projects

We work globally with current projects in the USA, Africa & Middle East. Our work cuts across many areas, including maternal mental wellness, severe mental illness, employment and more. We also conduct full system reviews. Adapting to local context, we shift focus from medicalized models towards achieving positive mental wellness outcomes as identified by users themselves.