Source:
https://porpulace.com.ng/list-of-mental-health-ngos-in-nigeria/

Today is World Mental Health Day. Every 10th October is set aside to mark the importance of mental health to individuals and communities.

We present to you 10 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that are involved in promoting mental health in Nigeria.

1. Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI)

MANI was founded in 2015 in order to create awareness about mental health issues in Nigeria specifically with young people as the main target. The founder, Victor Ugo, had some mental health challenges himself. This motivated him into setting up this organization.

MANI describes itself as the “largest youth run and youth focused mental health organization”.

They boast of more than 1,500 active youth volunteers across 18 chapters in 18 states of Nigeria.

They fight against stigma. They also try to create an environment in which people are able to talk about and seek help for their mental health issues.


MANI has supported over 40,000 persons with their mental health services. You see why it deserves a mention in the list of mental health NGOs in Nigeria?


MANI has been recognized on the global scene. The organization received a Nelson Mandela-Graca Machel Innovation Award in 2017 in the best civil society organization category.


2. Gede Foundation

Gede Foundation was founded by Dr. Jennifer Jamilah Douglas-Abubakar. The organization has been on as far back as 2002 when it was founded.

Gede foundation first started working in the HIV space by providing one-stop clinics for people living with HIV-AIDS so they could access treatment and care.


In 2013, the Gede foundation delved into mental health space by first looking at the relationship between HIV-AIDS and mental illness.


Gede foundation also started exploring the mental health challenges facing the Nigerian society as a whole.

The foundation has gone into research about mental health issues in Nigeria. They have also collaborated with different organizations and groups in order to raise awareness about mental health issues in Nigeria.


What Gede foundation does is that they break down taboos, promote awareness about mental health issues, advance policy on mental health, reduce stigma and discrimination amongst those with mental illnesses and start a national dialogue by working with partners at the government and community levels to build sustainable national health programs that will bring health care issues out of the shadows.

3. Mental Health Foundation


The Mental Health Foundation works to reduce the stigma associated with mental health within the larger society.

They also increase literacy about mental health among Nigerians through seminars, symposia, workshops and publication of papers and articles.


Not only that, they also work with National and States Assembly in the area of advocacy for mental health policy formation and implementation in Nigeria.

They also facilitate re-integration of discharged patients into the society. This they do through what they call “half way homes”.


Mental Health Foundation also accepts volunteers who they work with in order to further achieve their objectives.

4. She Writes Woman


The organization has a three-part vision:

a) To create a Nigeria where people with mental health conditions fully realize their fundamental human rights on an equal basis as others

b) To ensure that people that interact with mental health services are treated with dignity and liberty

c) Through services and programming, create better lives for Nigerians by improving the way they think, feel and behave

She Writes Woman is a big name in the Nigerian mental health space


This NGO provides a 24-hour toll-free helpline with trained counselors available to talk to them mentally challenged caller

5. Anti Suicide and Depression Squad (ASADS)

This NGO was founded by Dare Asobele.

It aims at creating an enabling environment to do something about mental health issues



They offer free mental health first aid services

On 19th May 2019, ASADS organized a Mental Health Speaks event where personal experiences were shared as well as lectures from mental health professionals.

6. The Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI)

The MHEI was formed in 2015


This NGO has the following as its mandate:
a) To promote quality mental health service delivery and to carry out psycho-social intervention that mitigates mental health cases around: substance misuse, gender-based violence, child and maternal mental health, social violence, trauma and also provide support for persons living with Neglected Tropical Diseases in Nigeria and Africa


b) To collaborate with stakeholders to achieve sustainable mental health reforms in terms of plans, policy and legislation

c) They are engaged in building a strong network of mental health champions across 30 African countries, health reforms and capacity building.

7. Olamma Cares Foundation

This NGO was founded in 2017 by Chioma Fakorede.


It has the aim of reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues.

It also strives to build better lives for millions of individuals affected by mental health illness.


Some of their campaigns include:
a) Raising awareness about mental health issues.
b) Screening people for mental health conditions.
c) Training mental health first aiders.

They have also collaborated with ASADS in hosting the 4th Edition of Mental Health Speaks on 11th September 2022.

8. Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN)

This NGO initially started in Lagos University Teaching Hopsital.

However, it is now an independent body that has its presence in 35 states of Nigeria and the FCT with 51 branches.



It was established for the purpose of suicide prevention through research, promotion of mental well-being, crisis intervention, health education, early treatment of depression and drug abuse.


It boasts of over 100 professionals including psychiatrists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, nurses, family and public health physicians, medical social workers and clinical psychologists.


They run toll-free hotline through people facing mental health challenges can have the opportunity of talking with their trained counselors.

9. NEEM Foundation



This NGO is geared towards promoting the protection and wellbeing of populations and communities living in areas affected by violence and conflicts.


They have a lot of work they do. One of such is Mental Health, Psychosocial Support and Training. This is directed specifically at victims of the North-East insurgency.

This is good news for those living in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria who for many years now have had to deal with insecurity and displacements from their communities as a result of the rise in insurgency.

10. Asido Foundation
Next on our list of mental health NGOs in Nigeria is Asido Foundation.


This NGO dreams of us having a Nigerian society in which all persons will enjoy optimal mental health regardless of age, gender, socio-economic status, religion or ethnicity.



On their site, they encourage people to take the Unashamed Pledge.

This pledge has so far been signed by 2,589 persons, with a goal of having 1,000,000 people sign it.

11. Love, Peace and Mental Health Foundation (LPM)

LPM has made it to our list of mental health NGOs in Nigeria.



It is aimed at promoting mental health wellness and awareness among youths in Nigeria between ages 18 to 40.


They provide mental health care and services to persons affected by mental illness.

Source:

https://porpulace.com.ng/list-of-mental-health-ngos-in-nigeria/

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