Independent expert practice · Est. 2026 · Belgium

Mental health.
Built into systems.

Independent consultancy specialising in mental health policy, MHPSS programming, and systems change — in development, humanitarian, and post-conflict contexts.

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WildMind believes that mental health is not a luxury — it is a right, a practice, and a system. We work with organisations to build mental health into the structures, policies, and programmes that shape people's lives — wherever they are.

Elisa S. Vanlerberghe
Founder

Elisa S.
Vanlerberghe

Mental health policy and systems expert with over a decade of field experience across the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Grounded in clinical nursing, health policy, MHPSS programming, and humanitarian response. Openly neurodivergent. Board member, Be-cause Health. Uncompromisingly values-led.

2020–22
Advanced MSc in Global HealthGhent University — fieldwork in South Kivu, DRC
2014–17
MSc Health Care Management & PolicyGhent University — fieldwork in northern Uganda
2011–14
Bachelor NursingVives, Roeselare — internship Ishaka, Uganda
Now
Mental Health ExpertMemisa VZW · Enabel — Psychological relief rooms, Ukraine
Mental health policy MHPSS Self-help+ Health systems SRHR Humanitarian response (De)colonisation Gender Conflict & development
Services

Six service lines.
One standard.

Independent, specialist, values-led. WildMind Consultancy brings mental health expertise, fieldwork experience across Central and East Africa, and policy acumen to every mandate — without the overheads of large consulting firms.

01

Mental health programme design

Design, review, and strengthen mental health and MHPSS programming in humanitarian, development, and health system contexts. From needs assessment to evaluation.

NGOs · UN agencies · Ministries
02

Mental health policy & advocacy

Policy papers, evidence synthesis, stakeholder engagement, and parliamentary briefings. WHO Bulletin and parliamentary conference track record.

Governments · Think tanks · Platforms
03

Quality & organisational assessment

External evaluation of health institutions and mental health programmes using ISQua-aligned methodology. Five years of experience with Qualicor Europe.

Hospitals · NGOs · Health institutions
04

Knowledge translation & writing

Complex mental health research and policy translated into accessible reports, opinion pieces, WHO bulletins, and book chapters. Peer-reviewed publications.

Academia · NGOs · Publishers
05

Training & capacity building

Workshops for health and development professionals on mental health, Self-help+, MHPSS, SRHR, decolonial practice, gender, and conflict-sensitive programming.

NGOs · Universities · Networks
06

Expert assignment & embedding

Short- or medium-term expert deployment. Currently active with Enabel (Ukraine psychological relief rooms) and Memisa VZW.

Humanitarian orgs · Bilateral agencies
Areas of expertise

Where policy
meets practice.

01

Mental health policy & systems

Designing and strengthening mental health policies, strategies, and systems — from national frameworks to community-level implementation in LMICs and fragile states.

02

MHPSS & Self-help+

Mental health and psychosocial support programming in humanitarian and development contexts. Experienced in Self-help+ delivery and facilitation across Central and East Africa.

03

Fieldwork: DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania & Uganda

Over a decade of field experience in Central and East Africa — understanding local realities, community dynamics, and the gap between policy and practice on the ground.

04

(De)colonisation & gender in mental health

Critical analysis of power, representation, and structural determinants in mental health policy — centring the voices and knowledge of communities rather than speaking over them.

05

Sexual & reproductive health and rights

SRHR policy, refugee health rights, and gender-based violence programming in conflict and displacement contexts. WHO Bulletin and parliamentary track record.

06

Conflict, fragility & mental health

Conflict-sensitive mental health programming, post-conflict recovery, and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings including Ukraine, South Sudan, and Central Africa.

Selected publications & assignments

Evidence that
travels.

Vanlerberghe E. et al. (2022) Women who "age too fast": Female work, bodies and health in the gold mines of Eastern DRC. The Extractive Industries and Society.

Policy paper (2022) "Ensuring Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Ukrainian Refugees." Ghent University / WHO Bulletin. Presented at Parliamentary Conference, Basque Country, Spain.

Expert assignment (2025–present) Psychological relief rooms in Ukraine — Enabel. Design and support of mental health spaces for displaced populations and frontline workers.

USAID MOMENTUM project (2021–2022) Integrated Health Resilience, South Sudan — with Corus/IMA World Health & Emergency Nutrition Network.

Poster presentation MSF Paediatric Days 2022. Op-eds in MO. and De Morgen on global health and development solidarity.

Book in progress Post-NGO Era — Beyond solidarity, toward shared systems.

Writing

Ideas worth
reading.

Thought leadership, field reflections, and policy analysis — on mental health systems, MHPSS, decolonial practice, and the structures that shape wellbeing. Published on Substack.

S
Read on Substack @elisasvanlerberghe

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Mental health · Opinion

Beyond solidarity: why the NGO model needs a rethink

The post-NGO era isn't a crisis — it's an invitation. What would it look like to move from solidarity toward shared mental health systems?

Coming 2026 →
Mental health · Fieldwork

What the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda taught me about mental health systems

Field notes from Central and East Africa: when the system is the problem, technical solutions aren't enough.

Coming 2026 →
Policy · MHPSS

Self-help+ in practice: what works, what doesn't, and what we rarely say out loud

Reflections on delivering Self-help+ in low-resource settings — the gaps between the manual and the reality.

Coming 2026 →
All writing on Substack →
Rates

Transparent pricing.
No surprises.

Day rate
€350–€500
per day

Depending on mandate complexity and client type. NGO / non-profit rates at 20–30% reduction.

Project assignment
€2K–€25K
per project

Scoped per deliverable. Timeline and outputs agreed upfront before project commencement.

Retainer
€2K–€4K
per month · min. 3 months

Ongoing advisory role. Regular touchpoints, strategic input, and responsive support.

Training & workshop
€300–€500
per day

Including preparation, materials, and follow-up documentation. Online or in-person.

Not sure which format fits your project? Get in touch and we'll find the right structure together.

Let's
talk.

Whether you're scoping a project, looking for ongoing advisory support, or want to discuss an expert assignment — I'd love to hear from you.

Email
elisa.vanlerberghe@outlook.com
Phone
+32 496 81 43 19
Location
Ghent, Belgium
Available remotely & on-site worldwide
Online
LinkedIn  ·  Substack