What helps people recover from mental distress and build fulfilling lives?

What helps people recover from mental distress and build fulfilling lives? Treatment can play an important role, but recovery is also shaped by friendship, belonging, meaningful work, economic opportunity, and the attitudes of those around us.

Join us for a screening of a short film exploring the work of OPROMAMER, a peer-led mental health organisation in Rwanda. Through peer support, mutual aid, farming and small business initiatives, access to healthcare, and efforts to challenge stigma, OPROMAMER supports people to rebuild confidence, connection, dignity and valued roles within their communities.

The film highlights a model of recovery that extends beyond clinical services, showing how communities can create the conditions for people to thrive.

Following the screening, a panel discussion will explore what we can learn from community-led approaches to mental health, recovery and inclusion. Together we'll reflect on the importance of social connection, belonging, reducing stigma and inequality, and creating communities where everyone can participate and contribute.

This event is part of the Festival of Social Science 2026 (https://festivalofsocialscience.com/)

Cover image description: a person is walking through the fields of Rwanda, carrying a large bag on their head. The blue of the sky, the yellow of the crops, and the green of the grass resemble the coloured stripes of the national flag of Rwanda. Credit Mad Knoxx Deluxe on Unsplash.

Description supplied by the event organiser.