About Safe Space Sudan

Safe Space Sudan Foundation is a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) public charity operating under the public-facing name “Safe Space Sudan” dedicated to advancing accessible, culturally responsive, and professional mental health support for Sudanese communities. The organization is working to strengthen mental health systems, expand access to care, and promote community wellbeing through planned services, partnerships, research, and advocacy.

Safe Space Sudan was recently established in response to the growing mental health needs within Sudanese communities and the significant gaps in accessible and trusted mental health support. The organization takes a holistic and community-centered approach that addresses the full spectrum of mental health needs while giving particular attention to the psychological impact of war, displacement, and social challenges.

Our work is grounded in the belief that mental health is a fundamental human right and that every individual deserves access to safe, ethical, and high-quality mental health care.

Our Mission

To provide accessible, culturally responsive mental health support for Sudanese while strengthening community resilience, healing, and well-being.

Our Vision

We envision a future where Sudanese individuals and communities have access to inclusive, high-quality mental health care that supports healing, dignity, and community resilience.

Our Approach

Safe Space Sudan takes a holistic approach to mental health by combining professional care, community engagement, and system strengthening. Our work will focus on improving access to services while supporting long-term solutions that advance mental health awareness and care.

Our approach will include:

• Expanding access to mental health and psychosocial support services
• Supporting psychiatric and therapeutic care
• Promoting mental health awareness and prevention
• Strengthening professional capacity in mental health care
• Supporting research and knowledge development
• Encouraging community-based healing and resilience

Who We Serve

Safe Space Sudan is being built to support Sudanese individuals and families experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges. While our services will address the full spectrum of mental health needs, we will place particular attention on individuals affected by war, displacement, and conflict-related trauma.

Our work will prioritize safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive support for communities facing barriers to accessing mental health care, with particular focus on women, children, elders, and persons with disabilities, who are often disproportionately affected by conflict, displacement, and social instability.

Safe Space Sudan is committed to equity, dignity, and equal treatment for all individuals, regardless of gender, age, disability, background, or social status. Through our programs and partnerships, we aim to ensure that mental health services are accessible, respectful, and responsive to the diverse needs of Sudanese communities.

Founder

Amal A. Bakhit
Founder & Executive Director

Amal A. Bakhit, a Sudanese-American professional, founded Safe Space Sudan with a long-standing vision to expand access to culturally responsive mental health support for Sudanese communities. The initiative reflects a dream she has carried for many years, inspired by witnessing the growing mental health needs among Sudanese individuals and the significant gaps in accessible, trusted, and professional mental health services.

Amal believes that mental health is a fundamental human right and that every individual deserves access to safe, ethical, and high-quality mental health care. Through Safe Space Sudan, she seeks to advance mental health awareness, services, and systems in ways that are rooted in compassion, cultural understanding, and international professional standards.

With experience in strategic management, program development, research, and monitoring and evaluation, Amal is committed to strengthening mental health systems and promoting community wellbeing. Her work focuses on building sustainable, community-centered approaches that address the full spectrum of mental health needs while responding to the psychological impact of conflict, displacement, and social challenges.

Through Safe Space Sudan, she aims to contribute to a future where Sudanese individuals and families can access safe, compassionate, and professional mental health support wherever they live.

Safe Space Sudan is guided by a founding Board of Directors and is in the process of appointing its full Board, which will provide ongoing governance and strategic guidance to keep the organization aligned with its mission, values, and professional standards.

As our programs develop, we will also build a network of advisors and subject-matter experts in mental health, research, humanitarian response, and community development.