How FAM Initiative is building better mental health awareness among Adolescents and Young Persons in Nigeria

By Aisha Gambo

Glory Ernest , a 23 year-old graduate of Microbiology had battled Body Dysmorphic Disorder while growing up as a child, she felt she was not beautiful and had flaws in her appearance, a situation that affected her self-esteem.

Her story changed when she interacted with a Twitter space hosted by Friends Advocacy for Mental Health (FAM) Initiative which helped her in building a healthy mental health coping mechanism.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance.

A recent study that screened for BDD among patients attending a tertiary institution found that facial flaws were the most common concern, in 62.5% of participants, followed by body asymmetry in 25%.

Body dysmorphophobia is a common disorder, with a prevalence of 0.7% to 2.4% among community samples.

Recent studies confirmed a high prevalence of BDD in dermatology and cosmetic surgery settings with a prevalence ranging from 4.52% to 35.16% and female preponderance.

“My experience with Friends Advocacy for Mental Health (FAM) Initiative was one I desperately needed at the time it came.

“In other words, it came at the right time which I will forever remain very grateful for.

“That space helped me realise I’m beautiful and amazing just the way I am, i don’t have to compare my physical attributes to the societal beauty standards,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common.

In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initial estimates show a 26% and 28% increase respectively for anxiety and major depressive disorders in just one year.

While there is effective prevention and treatment options, most people with mental disorders do not have access to effective care.

According to the President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Taiwo Obindo, 60 million Nigerians are suffering from mental illnesses.

Obindo, who stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that only about 10 per cent of them were able to access appropriate care.

“We are left with more than 90 per cent who are unable to access care and this group is called the treatment gap for mental illnesses.

“The gap is as a result of various factors like the knowledge gap in which people do not have appropriate information about the causes and treatment for mental illnesses,” Obindo said.

Bridging the gap of Information on mental health

In an effort to breach the gap on information about mental health, a young lady, Jecinta Egbim, founded a non-profit organization, the FAM Initiative, in September 2020.

The organization has the objectives of taking quality mental health awareness and services to rural communities and schools targeting adolescents and young people.

“Our Mission is to educate young people on mental health, self-awareness and equip them with coping skills for optimal living.

“In our vision, we aim to create a thriving ecosystem where adolescents and young adults receive robust support and empowerment throughout their mental health journey,” she said.

Egbim stated that the Initiative has incorporated different sectors in its dissemination of information, ranging from the Adolescents Safe Haven club in secondary schools across Nigeria, to its intergenerational and interfaith dialogues.

She said sectors serves as connectors to break through the stigmatization and stereotyping of adolescents and young adults who are seeking psychological support.

She added that the organization has initiated over 10 school clubs in Kaduna state, gone on school tours across local government areas in Kano State and are on the path to launching Adolescents Safe Haven clubs in schools across Gombe state.

Egbim added that the initiative held multiple virtual sessions that were centred around mental health awareness, experience sharing and professional perspectives, which ended with open vulnerability and enhanced compassion.

“We have held interfaith dialogues that strengthen religious institution in offering quality mental health support.

“We have also had community outreaches in order to reduce stigma, stereotyping and misinformation around seeking mental health support,” she said.

The FAM Initiative founder explained that they have held a six months volunteer programme that offers rigorous training on self-awareness, self-actualization and empathy building.

She added that all volunteers were mentally cared for and empowered with adequate knowledge making them ambassadors in their various communities.

Experience of Volunteers

As a Volunteer with the Initiative, Halimat Anakobe, says volunteering helped her develop communication skills, deepen her understanding of various mental health issues and appreciating the importance of mental well-being.

“I volunteered with the FAM Initiative for their July-December 2022 cohort as a social media intern, responsible for managing their Instagram page and creating designs.

“Our social media posts have been effective in sharing information and raising awareness about mental health,” she said.

She explained that the organization genuinely care about the mental health and well-being of their members, just as much as they do for their audience.

Similarly, Miss Ernest, a Community engagement volunteer with FAM initiative says she educates adolescents on the importance of mental health under the Adolescents Safe Haven (ASH) club.

“We teach them how to handle situations, stress and how to relate with their peers in a healthy manner.

“Also, I once taught in a primary 4 class and I started speaking to the pupils during our free hours about the importance of kindness among themselves and they tried to be kind among themselves,” she said.

FAM Initiative volunteers with children after a session on mental health

Giving mental support to adolescents and young people

As a mental health organization focused on creating awareness and building a community of mentally resilient young people, “we do not offer medications or admissions, we only offer mental health first aids and counselling,” Egbim stated.

She said the initiative has supported more than 100 young people and adolescents with psychosocial support since 2020.

‘We treat our humans with love, empathy and compassion. We feel what they feel and support them through their journey in the way they desire us to.

“We have partnered with child psychiatrists and have licenced counselors who offer mental health first aids,” she said.

Egbim explained that the organization refer individuals to better professional support as the case may demand.

She added that they have curated a first of its kind Art Therapy and Art Exhibition event for young children and adolescents.

What are the challenges?

“Our major challenges is underfunding in this field. In order to achieve our goals, we need funding,” FAM initiative founder said.

She explained that the Initiative also faced a community push back from time to time during outreaches due to how misinformed some of the communities are on mental health.

“Their first response to the thoughts is a built up defensiveness as a result of this misinformed foundation; but our approach helps them see it from a more relatable perspective,” she said.

Sustaining the project

FAM Initiative founder says the Art Therapy and Art Exhibition events are fundraisers for the Adolescents Safe Haven club where internal income is generated to sustain projects.

She explained that the organization has not received any support from government yet but had many Partnerships and Collaborations with NGOs, Brands and Schools who helped in the execution of projects.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

***This is a project of the Solutions Journalism Desk of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and if used, please acknowledge the writer and NAN.

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Henkel, global manufacturers of industrial and consumer goods, has empowered children and communities in Ibadan, Oyo State, with its “Make an Impact on Tomorrow (MIT) initiative, ‘Project Waste-to-Wealth’.

The Managing Director of Henkel, Nigeria, Mr Rajat Kaput, on Wednesday in Lagos, said that the programme, meant to commemorate the MIT’s 25th anniversary, would drive sustainability.

He said that the MIT was launched in 1998 for employees and retirees of the company.

He said the programme had become a momentous occasion for the company to showcase a vital component of its Corporate Citizenship activities.

Kaput said the company firmly believes that investing in education and environmental stewardship at grassroots level would yield long-lasting results.

“As a socially-responsible corporate citizens, we recognise the significance of sustainable development and are committed to supporting initiatives that promote environmental consciousness.

“We would continue to strengthen community relationships with local stakeholders and demonstrate our dedication to creating a positive impact beyond our business operations.

“Through ‘Project Waste to Wealth’, we hope to inspire these young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits and foster a sustainable future,” Kaput said.

Mrs Chidera Akwuba, Transformation Manager, Henkel Nigeria, said the company, through events like MIT day, strives to create a positive impact, promote sustainability, and empower the younger generation with the necessary skills to build a better future.

Akwuba said the primary objective was to educate underprivileged children in public primary schools about the importance of sustainability and empower them to become catalysts for positive change.

She said to successfully deliver the initiative, Henkel Nigeria partnered with GWETO, an NGO, and the Waste Museum, to impact the lives of 100 primary school children in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Akwuba said that the children were taught to create art and crafts using recyclable items, fostering creativity while instilling a sense of environmental consciousness.

“Through Project ‘Waste to Wealth’, we aim to inspire and empower the next generation to adopt sustainable practices and take steps towards a greener future,” she said.

The Assistant Head Teacher, IMG Basic Special School Ibadan, Mrs Ganiyat Alabi, commended the company for its consistency in training the children over the years.

She said that this was not the first time Henkel Nigeria was doing an educational training, describing the initiative as very great for the development of children.

“We are very grateful to Henkel for these commitments because these pupils are special children, and they are always eager to practice what they learnt,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Henkel’s employee’s dedication has resulted in it donating money running into millions of Naira, facilitating more than 17,000 volunteer programmes and engaging approximately 10,000 volunteers globally.

The company, with its brands, innovations and technologies, holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer businesses. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidi Opara/Vincent Obi

Some women who have benefitted from Young Moms support initiative, a Non Governmental Organisation

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Young Moms Support Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has trained no fewer than 1,500 women on digital skills to expand their businesses and earn decent living.

The Executive Director, Dr Vivian Sonny-Nsirim said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

NAN reports that Young Moms Support initiative is supporting and empowering women and children for a better society.

The NGO birthed the largest online community of young women called the Young Moms Forum with over two million active members.

Sonny-Nsirim said that the training was free for all women who owned businesses or willing to own one.

She said that the training was to enable the beneficiaries to utilise digital tools to grow and expand their businesses.

“The training was via Zoom and Closed WhatsApp groups held from Aug. 1 to Aug. 4.

“The essence is to bring women and other marginalised groups into technology.”

This, she said, would provide creative solutions and greater potentialities for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality.

“The goal was also to expose women to online market stalls, financial tools like whatsapp applications available on Google store, to manage their business finances and records,’’ she said.

Sonny-Nsirim said topics covered during the training included maximising Facebook page for business, advance use of whatsapp and Google drive, as well as graphic design.

“We want the women to understand that something as small as their android phones can go a long way in helping them to drive online traffic and achieve business growth and transformation,” she added.

The executive director called for reform of the country’s education curriculum with emphasis on the teaching of science and technology from primary school to stimulate critical thinking among children, including girls.

She said that technology was increasingly being misused and weaponised, with women and girls disproportionately targeted.

“This is why the NGO is investing in providing digital solutions in agriculture, health and in the fight against gender based violence.

“Rural women can now also market their products around the world without leaving their rural environment via social media platforms as they have gained extensively from the training,’’ she said.

Sonny-Nsirim who holds the traditional title of Ugochinyere I of Igboland and Madubia of Uke kingdom, said a lot could be achieved when women and girls were ICT-literate.

“It will fast track their thinking and help them generate income to cater for their families,” she added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Maharazu Ahmed

By Cecilia Ijuo

Sen. Shehu Sani has called on President Bola Tinubu and governors across the country to appoint special advisers on disabilities.

Sani, former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central, made the call when he visited the Abuja School for the Deaf on Thursday.

He said that people living with disabilities should be considered for political appointments in all tiers of government.

According to him, it is important for government to place special needs persons in positions of authority, adding that they are an integral part of the society.

He said appointing them into such positions would give a voice to their plight while protecting their rights.

“I call on President Bola Tinubu and governors to appoint special advisers on disabilities and it should be from among them.

“This is because there is a need to give special attention to our young people with special needs.

“When I was in the Senate, I was one of those who championed the establishment the Commission for People with Disabilities.

“I was also always sent by the President of the Senate then to attend to protests led by people living with disabilities.

“I have not relented in that effort as I will continue to monitor activities of government and stand the gap for them,” he said.

Sani, who is also a human rights activist, said for Nigeria to move forward, persons living with disabilities should be given special attention.

“In other countries you will discover that all segments of society have places reserved for people living with disabilities.

“Places are reserved in parks, markets, cinemas for instance, for people living with disabilities.

“Unfortunately Nigeria has fallen short of this including inadequate funding for this set of people, making them to take to begging, he

He said it was unfortunate that disability was considered as a curse in the society.

“No human being is created perfectly because as humans we have one form of disability or the other.

“If you are not physically challenged, you could have hypertension, diabetes, ulcer or other forms of ailment.

“So, we are all disabled.”

Sani thanked the school management for maintaining a high standard, adding that it was one of the best public schools in Nigeria.

“You occupy a special place in our country.

“This is because you have to operate in a very special environment using very special strategies to impact knowledge in children with special needs.

“I am very impressed to see a government owned school run like a private school with discipline and neatness,” he said.

Sani promised to support government by attending to some needs of the students.

Mr Bamidele Olaitan, Assistant Headteacher Administration, thanked the lawmaker for the visit.

He also thanked government for the support given to staff and students of the school.

On challenges facing the school, the assistant headteacher said they were in need of infrastructure.

Mr Aguda Ezra, Vice Principal Academic, said Sani was the only lawmaker, serving or former, that had visited the school since its inception in 1991.

He said the school would remain grateful to him for not just visiting but promising to contribute his quota to the success of the school.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the 31 year old school has about 600 students.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu