About LATERAL

Bridging the global mental health treatment gap through community-led innovation

Our Mission

To bridge the global mental health treatment gap by scaling culturally-adapted lay therapy teams while building a world-class research platform for continuous innovation.

LATERAL (Lay Therapy Research Lab) is creating a permanent infrastructure that combines the proven effectiveness of community-based mental health interventions with cutting-edge research capabilities to serve the billion people worldwide who need mental health treatment but don't receive it.

The Challenge We Face

The global mental health crisis is one of humanity's most pressing challenges:

  • Over 1 billion people worldwide need mental health treatment but don't receive it
  • In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), the treatment gap reaches 93-100%
  • Most affected communities are outside major urban centers, where traditional mental health infrastructure doesn't reach
  • The shortage of mental health professionals means we cannot rely on traditional therapy models alone

The World Health Organization has identified successful lay therapy programs as "islands of good practice" that need to be connected and scaled to address this crisis effectively.

Our Approach

Building on Proven Models

We leverage evidence-based approaches like WHO's Interpersonal Therapy for Groups (IPT-G), StrongMinds' depression treatment model, and Zimbabwe's Friendship Bench. These models have been validated through over 100 randomized controlled trials.

Creating Local Networks

We establish networks of lay therapy teams embedded in their communities. These teams understand local contexts, speak local languages, and build trust through cultural familiarity.

Central Science Team

Our research infrastructure enables continuous learning and improvement. We collect data, analyze outcomes, and develop innovations that benefit the entire global mental health community.

Technology Enhancement

We use technology to enhance—never replace—human connection. Digital tools improve training efficiency, enable remote supervision, and help measure outcomes while keeping human relationships at the center.

Where We Are Today

LATERAL is an early-stage non-profit organization incorporated in Hawaii, USA, taking deliberate steps toward our ambitious vision:

  • Operational pilot program in the Philippines, serving communities with culturally-adapted group therapy
  • Growing team of 10+ dedicated professionals across the US and Philippines
  • Active development of our research platform and feedback loop systems
  • Building partnerships with communities, researchers, and funders who share our vision

We're transparent about being in our early stages while working systematically toward creating a scalable solution for global mental health.

Our Vision for the Future

We envision a world where every community has access to effective, culturally-appropriate mental health care. Through LATERAL's platform, we're working to create a global network that continuously learns, adapts, and improves—ultimately developing a "basket of therapies" that can serve diverse populations with evidence-based, community-led solutions.

Join Our Mission