SANA Mental Health Initiative Ushers in a New Era for Producers

Launched by Colombian photographer Lucia Bawot, the bold program seeks to bolster the mental and emotional well-being of women at origin.

BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

Photos courtesy of Lucia Bawot

In the heart of Colombia’s coffee-growing regions, a quiet but powerful movement is reshaping the conversation around sustainability in coffee. It’s not about new equipment or climate-resilient varietals, but something far more human: emotional well-being.

Meet SANA, a pioneering mental health initiative founded by Colombian photographer and storyteller Lucia Bawot, and championed across borders by Diana Ayala Gómez of International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Spain. Designed specifically for women in coffee farming communities, SANA addresses one of the industry’s most neglected issues: the emotional toll of life and labor in the coffee supply chain.

A Legacy Beyond the Lens

Lucia’s path to founding SANA began behind the camera. For over a decade, she traveled across Latin America, documenting sustainability stories for major coffee companies. But it was during the creation of her debut book, “We Belong: An Anthology of Colombian Women Coffee Farmers,” that something shifted.

The book—now award-winning and internationally exhibited—features portraits and vignettes from 25 women coffee producers. But as Lucia conducted interviews, she noticed the conversations going deeper than expected. “What began as interviews often turned into emotional releases,” she says. “These women needed more than visibility—they needed spaces to heal.”

Moved by these encounters and her own experiences with mental health, Lucia launched a pilot program in 2023 called Beans to Minds. Funded largely by proceeds from her book, the five-month program provided virtual therapy, education, and community support to 39 women in Colombia. The results were striking: 100% of participants said they felt heard, supported, and guided; 92% reported resolving personal or family challenges.

Building on that success, Lucia formally launched SANA—a scalable, integrative wellness initiative that she hopes will reach thousands. “Mental health is at the heart of gender equity,” Lucia says, “and it must be part of the sustainability agenda for every coffee company.”

Inside the SANA Model

SANA is structured around a culturally conscious five-month curriculum that includes teletherapy sessions, audio-visual education delivered via WhatsApp, and one in-person group workshop. With a maximum of 40 participants per cohort, the program is intentionally intimate and responsive.

For many participants, SANA marks their first experience with any form of mental health support. Rather than clinical language, the program emphasizes emotional resilience, self-awareness, and agency.

“We don’t talk about diagnoses,” Lucia explains. “We talk about strengthening emotional capacity. We’re creating spaces where women can reconnect with themselves—and each other.”

The decision to deliver support virtually was both logistical and philosophical. Mental health resources are scarce in rural Colombia, and stigma often prevents women from seeking help. By offering services remotely and privately, SANA lowers the barriers to entry and respects the rhythms of the women’s daily lives.

“We’ve found that therapy by phone or video actually makes it easier for many women to open up,” Lucia says. “They can do it in their own space, on their own terms.”

Breaking the Silence, Together

For Diana Ayala Gómez, co-founder of IWCA Spain, Lucia’s vision struck a deeply personal chord. “When I heard the voices of the women in (Lucia’s book) ‘We Belong,’ I felt seen,” Diana recalls. “It reminded me how rarely we talk about the emotional realities of women in coffee.”

With over a decade of experience across the value chain, Diana has witnessed firsthand how emotional labor often goes unrecognized—especially in roles traditionally occupied by women. A recent MBA program deepened her understanding of the systemic nature of gender inequities and emotional isolation in the coffee sector.

Through IWCA Spain, Diana helped amplify SANA’s message, connecting it to broader international conversations. “This isn’t just Lucia’s project—it’s becoming a shared mission,” she says. “We’re creating bridges between producing communities and the global coffee world.”

And the resonance is growing. IWCA chapters in Greece and beyond have voiced strong support, and a multilingual webinar is underway to bring the conversation to a wider audience. “Mental health isn’t a luxury,” Diana adds. “It’s a necessity for resilience, dignity, and sustainability.”

The Stories Behind the Numbers

SANA’s impact is best understood through the voices of the women themselves. One participant describes how therapy helped her release repressed sadness and reconnect with her family. Another shares how unprocessed stress was affecting her physical health. “These sessions came at the perfect time,” she explains. “They were truly healing.”

The women support each other through dedicated WhatsApp groups, forming micro-communities of trust and solidarity. For many, the experience is transformative not just personally, but socially. They emerge not just as healthier individuals—but as leaders within their families and communities.

What’s Next

In 2025, SANA aims to enroll 120 women in Colombia and expand to other Latin American countries in the years ahead. The organization is also exploring tailored mental health support programs for male producers. “Our vision is that mental and emotional well-being become just as essential as physical health and economic stability—that they become part of how we measure sustainability in coffee,” Lucia says.

And for those looking to get involved, the invitation is clear. A one-time donation of $25 can sponsor a woman’s full participation in the program. Organizations can sponsor entire cohorts and receive detailed impact reports.

“It’s more than likely the coffee you drank today was touched by the hands of a woman,” Lucia says. “Supporting her well-being is not charity—it’s justice.” To learn more or donate, visit SANA’s website.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work.

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