Shamiri
Shamiri is Africa's largest youth mental health provider, having served 250,000+ youth to date. They are reimagining what mental health care should look like—accessible, affordable, community-embedded, and built for scale from day one. In addition to clinical services, Shamiri conducts extensive clinical science research that establishes effectiveness and learns from real-world delivery to scale care with fidelity, rigor, and continuous improvement. See recent publications at the bottom of this page.
John Weisz, Tom Osborn (Shamiri Co-Founder and CEO), and Katherine Venturo-Conerly (Shamiri Co-Founder and Scientific Director) of the Lab for Youth Mental Health launched Shamiri in 2019. See Shamiri's growth since then by accessing the link below.
Shamiri's "for-youth-by-youth" approach expands the provider pool through task-shifting, emphasizes brief and effective strengths-based interventions, and brings care into communities where young people are. Young people (ages 18-24) deliver group sessions, supervised by semi-professionals, with psychologists and psychiatrists handling escalated care.
Their model is one of the world's most cost-effective youth mental health models at just $7-10 per youth—over 20 times cheaper than traditional therapy.
Their technology platform (shamiriOS, shamiriAI, Rafi) enables scale while maintaining quality through AI-supported supervision and data-driven improvements.
Impact Dashboard
Since 2021, Shamiri has served 250,000+ young people. Their goal is to serve 10 million young people by 2031.
Want to stay up to date? Check out Shamiri's Impact Dashboard to see all youths served, providers trained, schools reached, and sessions held!
References
Alemu, R. E. G., Nyatete, H., Baseke, R., Ngatia, V., Osborn, T. L., & Wasanga, C. M. (2023). Group-based psychoeducational workshop for parents in Kenya: Findings from a pilot study. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1223804. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1223804
Alemu, R. E. G., Osborn, T. L., & Wasanga, C. M. (2023). The network approach: A path to decolonize mental health care. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1052077. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1052077
Campbell, S., & Osborn, T. L. (2021). Adolescent psychopathology and psychological wellbeing: A network analysis approach. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), 333. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03331-x
Jakobsson, C. E., Johnson, N. E., Ochuku, B., Baseke, R., Wong, E., Musyimi, C. W., Ndetei, D. M., & Venturo-Conerly, K. E. (2024). Meta-Analysis: Prevalence of Youth Mental Disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health, 11, e109. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2024.82
Johnson, N. E., Nerima, D., Kahura, N., & Osborn, T. L. (2023). Psychometric properties of the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II among Kenyan adolescents. Frontiers in Sociology, 8, 1189915. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1189915
Kacmarek, C. N., Johnson, N. E., Osborn, T. L., Wasanga, C., Weisz, J. R., & Yates, B. T. (2023). Costs and cost-effectiveness of Shamiri, a brief, layperson-delivered intervention for Kenyan adolescents: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 827. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09856-z
Kahi, S., Memba, L., Syan, A., Ngatia, V., Venturo-Conerly, K., Wasanga, C., & Osborn, T. L. (2025). Implementation of a school-based risk management protocol within a task-shifted mental healthcare model. Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health, 12, e127. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2025.10073
Kumar, M., Osborn, T. L., Mugo, C., Akbarialiabad, H., Warfa, O., Mbuthia, W. M., Wambugu, C., Ngunu, C., Gohar, F., Mwaniga, S., Njuguna, S., & Saxena, S. (2021). A Four-Component Framework Toward Patient-Centered, Integrated Mental Healthcare in Kenya. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 756861. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.756861
Lilan, S., Mochama, B., Osborn, T., Mmbone, W., Kilonzo, R., Kamau, F., Daya, R., & Wasanga, C. (2026a). Automated Fidelity Monitoring of Lay-Delivered Mental Health Interventions Using Large Language Models: Development and Pilot Validation of shamiriAI in Kenya. JMIR AI, 5, e95063–e95063. https://doi.org/10.2196/95063
Mutiso, V. N., Ndetei, D. M., N.Muia, E., Musyimi, C., Osborn, T. L., Kasike, R., Onsinyo, L., Mbijjiwe, J., Karambu, P., Sounders, A., Weisz, J. R., Swahn, M. H., & Mamah, D. (2022). Prevalence and perception of substance abuse and associated economic indicators and mental health disorders in a large cohort of Kenyan students: Towards integrated public health approach and clinical management. BMC Psychiatry, 22(1), 191. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03817-2
Ndetei, D. M., Mutiso, V. N., Weisz, J. R., Okoth, C. A., Musyimi, C., Muia, E. N., Osborn, T. L., Sourander, A., Wasserman, D., & Mamah, D. (2022). Socio-demographic, economic and mental health problems were risk factors for suicidal ideation among Kenyan students aged 15 plus. Journal of Affective Disorders, 302, 74–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.055
Ndetei, D., Wasserman, D., Mutiso, V., Bhui, K., Shanley, J., Musyimi, C., Winter, S., Nyamai, P., Walusaka, S., Onyango, V., Jeremiah, E., Osborn, T. L., Swahn, M., Sourander, A., & Mamah, D. (2026). Toward integrating clinical and non-clinical associates of suicidality to inform potential intervention points among youth in Nairobi metropolitan, Kenya. Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health, 13, e33. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2026.10148
Ochuku, B., Osborn, T. L., Nerima, D., Van Der Markt, A., Rusch, T., Omune, H., Akello, S., Ndetei, D. M., & Venturo-Conerly, K. E. (2023). Testing pathways to scale: Study protocol for a three-arm randomized controlled trial of a centralized and a decentralized (“Train the Trainers”) dissemination of a mental health program for Kenyan adolescents. Trials, 24(1), 526. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07539-y
Osborn, T. L., Kleinman, A., & Weisz, J. R. (2021). Complementing standard western measures of depression with locally co-developed instruments: A cross-cultural study on the experience of depression among the Luo in Kenya. Transcultural Psychiatry, 58(4), 499–515. https://doi.org/10.1177/13634615211000555
Osborn, T. L., Ndetei, D. M., Sacco, P. L., Mutiso, V., & Sommer, D. (2023). An arts-literacy intervention for adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms: Outcomes of a randomised controlled trial of Pre-Texts with Kenyan adolescents. eClinicalMedicine, 66, 102288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102288
Osborn, T. L., Rodriguez, M., Wasil, A. R., Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Gan, J., Alemu, R. G., Roe, E., Arango G., S., Otieno, B. H., Wasanga, C. M., Shingleton, R., & Weisz, J. R. (2020). Single-session digital intervention for adolescent depression, anxiety, and well-being: Outcomes of a randomized controlled trial with Kenyan adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 88(7), 657–668. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000505
Osborn, T. L., Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Arango G., S., Roe, E., Rodriguez, M., Alemu, R. G., Gan, J., Wasil, A. R., Otieno, B. H., Rusch, T., Ndetei, D. M., Wasanga, C., Schleider, J. L., & Weisz, J. R. (2021a). Effect of Shamiri Layperson-Provided Intervention vs Study Skills Control Intervention for Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Adolescents in Kenya: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(8), 829. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.1129
Osborn, T. L., Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Gan, J. Y., Rodriguez, M., Alemu, R. G., Roe, E., Arango, S. G., Wasil, A. R., Campbell, S., Weisz, J. R., & Wasanga, C. M. (2022). Depression and anxiety symptoms amongst kenyan adolescents: Psychometric Properties, Prevalence Rates and Associations with Psychosocial Wellbeing and Sociodemographic factors. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 50(11), 1471–1485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-022-00940-2
Osborn, T. L., Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Wasil, A. R., Rodriguez, M., Roe, E., Alemu, R., Arango G., S., Gan, J., Wasanga, C., Schleider, J. L., & Weisz, J. R. (2020). The Shamiri group intervention for adolescent anxiety and depression: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a lay-provider-delivered, school-based intervention in Kenya. Trials, 21(1), 938. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-04732-1
Osborn, T. L., Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Wasil, A. R., Schleider, J. L., & Weisz, J. R. (2020). Depression and Anxiety Symptoms, Social Support, and Demographic Factors Among Kenyan High School Students. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(5), 1432–1443. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01646-8
Osborn, T. L., Wasil, A. R., Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Schleider, J. L., & Weisz, J. R. (2020). Group Intervention for Adolescent Anxiety and Depression: Outcomes of a Randomized Trial with Adolescents in Kenya. Behavior Therapy, 51(4), 601–615. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2019.09.005
Osborn, T. L., Wasil, A. R., Weisz, J. R., Kleinman, A., & Ndetei, D. M. (2020). Where is the global in global mental health? A call for inclusive multicultural collaboration. General Psychiatry, 33(6), e100351. https://doi.org/10.1136/gpsych-2020-100351
Rugendo, E., Lyimo, G. S., Daya, R., Githinji, M., Kashamba, K., Njoki, F., Yusufu, I., Osborn, T., Chase, R. P., Sando, M., Nyundo, A., Bärnighausen, T., Reininghaus, U., McMahon, S. A., & Reinhold, A. S. (2025). Efficacy and acceptability of a blended intervention for emotion regulation (MAISHA) among young people in Kenya: Study protocol for a cluster RCT. BMC Psychology, 14(1), 114. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03837-z
Shamiri Institute, Africa Institute for Mental and Brain Health (AfriMeb) (2025). Adolescent Mental Health in Kenya: Evidence, Challenges, and Policy Solutions.
Shamiri Institute, Africa Institute for Mental and Brain Health (AfriMeb) (2025). Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Kenya's Childhood Adversity Crisis to Protect Our Youth and Future.
Shamiri Institute, Africa Institute for Mental and Brain Health (AfriMeb) (2025). Strengthening Adolescent Mental Health in Kenya.
Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Johnson, N. E., Osborn, T. L., Puffer, E. S., Rusch, T., Ndetei, D. M., Wasanga, C. M., Mutiso, V., Musyimi, C., & Weisz, J. R. (2022). Long-term health outcomes of adolescent character strength interventions: 3- to 4-year outcomes of three randomized controlled trials of the Shamiri program. Trials, 23(1), 443. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06394-7
Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Osborn, T. L., Alemu, R., Roe, E., Rodriguez, M., Gan, J., Arango, S., Wasil, A., Wasanga, C., & Weisz, J. R. (2022). Single-session interventions for adolescent anxiety and depression symptoms in Kenya: A cluster-randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 151, 104040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2022.104040
Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Osborn, T. L., Rusch, T., Ochuku, B. K., Johnson, N. E., van der Markt, A., Wasanga, C. M., & Weisz, J. R. (2025). Testing the Shamiri Intervention and Its Components With Kenyan Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Outcomes of a Universal, 5-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 64(7), 786–798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2024.04.015
Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Osborn, T. L., Wasil, A. R., Le, H., Corrigan, E., Wasanga, C., & Weisz, J. R. (2021). Testing the effects of the Shamiri Intervention and its components on anxiety, depression, wellbeing, and academic functioning in Kenyan adolescents: Study protocol for a five-arm randomized controlled trial. Trials, 22(1), 829. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05736-1
Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Wasil, A. R., Osborn, T. L., Puffer, E. S., Weisz, J. R., & Wasanga, C. M. (2022). Designing Culturally and Contextually Sensitive Protocols for Suicide Risk in Global Mental Health: Lessons From Research With Adolescents in Kenya. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 61(9), 1074–1077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2022.02.005
Venturo-Conerly, K., Osborn, T. L., Puffer, E. S., Weisz, J., & Van Der Markt, A. (2023). RE: Do no harm: can school mental health interventions cause iatrogenic harm? BJPsych Bulletin, 47(5), 300–301. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2023.65
Venturo-Conerly, K., Roe, E., Wasil, A., Osborn, T., Ndetei, D., Musyimi, C., Mutiso, V., Wasanga, C., & Weisz, J. R. (2022). Training and Supervising Lay Providers in Kenya: Strategies and Mixed-Methods Outcomes☆☆☆. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 29(3), 666–681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2021.03.004
Wasil, A. R., Gillespie, S., Park, S. J., Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Osborn, T. L., DeRubeis, R. J., Weisz, J. R., & Jones, P. J. (2021). Which symptoms of depression and anxiety are most strongly associated with happiness? A network analysis of Indian and Kenyan adolescents. Journal of Affective Disorders, 295, 811–821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.087
Wasil, A. R., Kacmarek, C. N., Osborn, T. L., Palermo, E. H., DeRubeis, R. J., Weisz, J. R., & Yates, B. T. (2021). Economic evaluation of an online single-session intervention for depression in Kenyan adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 89(8), 657–667. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000669
Wasil, A. R., Osborn, T. L., Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Wasanga, C., & Weisz, J. R. (2021). Conducting global mental health research: Lessons learned from Kenya. Global Mental Health, 8, e8. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2021.7
Wasil, A. R., Osborn, T. L., Weisz, J. R., & DeRubeis, R. J. (2021). Online single‐session interventions for Kenyan adolescents: Study protocol for a comparative effectiveness randomised controlled trial. General Psychiatry, 34(3), e100446. https://doi.org/10.1136/gpsych-2020-100446
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Interested in partnering?
Shamiri works with governments, foundations, corporations, and researchers to scale youth mental health across Africa and the Global South. Contact the Shamiri team at partnerships@shamiri.institute