EHS is a non-profit organization based in Germany created on the principle that every human being deserves to be treated equally and with dignity. Established in 2024, we are a team from around the world dedicated to providing mental health solutions through technology. We want to create a world where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, can gain the intervention they need to rebuild their lives.
Our Story
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Our journey began during the refugee crisis in Europe in 2015, where more than 1.8 million migrants from the Middle East and North Africa were fleeing their countries in search of safety elsewhere. At the same time, the Balkan Route emerged as a path for many refugees seeking asylum in European countries.
Several informal refugee communities (IRCs) sprang up along this route that were underserved by traditional international aid organizations. Recognizing this gap, a network of individual volunteers, mobilized to provide much-needed assistance to these IRCs. Our founder, Tanya M. Schenk, was one of them.
Being deeply involved in this grassroots movement, Tanya witnessed firsthand the resilience and struggles of displaced populations. In the process, donations of essential items and funds were collected, transported, and distributed to refugees across Europe. This hands-on experience allowed for a profound understanding of the extreme circumstances these individuals faced during their flight and the enduring trauma that accompanied them.
This led to a pivotal realization about the lack of mental health interventions tailored to suit the unique needs of these vulnerable populations. This became a driving force behind the creation of Everyone Has a Story (EHS).
We aim to break down the stigma around seeking mental health assistance for displaced individuals through our mobile application, which offers them a pathway to healing and hope through digital storytelling as a medium.
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
Maya Angelou - Civil rights activist, writer, poet
Our Vision
EHS will be the leading mental health tool for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) globally, benefiting hard-to-reach populations with little or no access to mental healthcare and producing a positive impact on their well-being. We are committed to improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable populations and helping those suffering silently from PTSD.
Our Principles
“None of us is safe until all of us are safe.”
António Guterres, UN Secretary General
EHS adheres to 7 key principles to ensure that everyone has access to the mental healthcare they need
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Improving the lives of marginalized populations
By providing a powerful mental health tool accessible to everyone, we can make a positive change in the mental health crisis.
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Thinking outside the box
With the growing challenges of global mental health and increasing income disparities, more innovative solutions are required to reach everyone and significantly improve access.
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Helping people in need comes through coordinated efforts
Success in reaching a common goal only comes through close collaboration and coordination with governments, organizations, and individuals.
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Everyone deserves the right to healthcare
Ensuring that everyone has equal access to sustainable health solutions is everyone’s right
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Addressing large-scale humanitarian needs
Building on demonstrated successes ensures we can reach more people and reduce human suffering
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Giving power back to the people
A people-centered approach ensures people have agency and control over their own lives
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A dramatic, positive shift in quality of life
Integrating the community into the solution is key to sustainable change
