Asido Foundation, a leading not-for-profit mental health organization in Nigeria, took to the streets on October 10, 2023, in a grand commemoration of World Mental Health Day. Under the theme, “Mental Health as a Universal Human Right,” the Foundation orchestrated a powerful, eye-opening street sensitization campaign in five different Nigerian cities: Ibadan, Lagos, Abuja, Owerri, and Maiduguri. The event was nothing short of a resounding success, resonating with the people of Nigeria and leaving a lasting impact on the communities it touched.
World Mental Health Day serves as a global reminder of the critical need for the awareness and promotion of optimal mental health for all, regardless of age, gender, background, or circumstance. According to the World Health Organization, one in every four persons will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives. Globally, about 270 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse psychoactive drugs, and about 1 million people die from suicide every year, which implies that every 40 seconds, someone somewhere dies from suicide. Asido Foundation embraced this year’s theme – mental health is a universal human right, with enthusiasm and fervour, ensuring that mental health is recognized by all as a fundamental human right.
The streets of Nigeria came alive as members, volunteers, and supporters of the Asido Foundation rallied to advocate for mental health rights, generously offering valuable information, resources, and encouragement. Ibadan witnessed an awe-inspiring procession as volunteers paraded through the lively streets of Sango, the University of Ibadan, and down to the Bodija axis. They engaged passers-by and commuters in meaningful conversations about mental health while displaying colourful banners and placards with inspiring messages about mental health. The sensitization campaign in Ibadan, led by Tunji Ayoola, Toluwalope Orotoye, and other dedicated members of the Foundation, received overwhelming support from the community. In Ibadan, Asido Foundation collaborated with three other organizations, including the Free Tribe Network, the Medical Women Association (MWAN) of Oyo State, led by Dr. Oyindamola Adeyemi, and the State Primary Healthcare Development Board of Oyo State, in a united effort to raise awareness about mental health in Oyo State.
In Lagos State, the Foundation gathered at two meeting points — Sabo Roundabout, Yaba, and Supreme Education Foundation School, Magodo, spreading awareness about mental health. The partnership of Supreme Education Foundation School with the Asido Foundation led by Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri, Ronke Oginni, Maryam Gambo, and other coordinators of the Asido Foundation was instrumental in making the campaign in Lagos a success.
In Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the Foundation conducted a colourful display of posters, banners, and interactive sessions. Pharm Joseph Olasupo and Dr. Chibuzor Anoje played pivotal roles in the campaign’s success, engaging the adult, young adult, adolescent, and children populations in discussions about the importance of mental health.
In Owerri, the Foundation collaborated with Dr. Sylvia Anthony-Eweputanna of Rotary International, further reinforcing the importance of collective action in promoting mental health, and in Maiduguri, Dr. Asmau Dahiru and other coordinators in partnership with the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital (FNPH) Maiduguri held successful campaigns that ignited conversations about mental health and shattered the stigma surrounding it. In all these campaigns, the Foundation’s dedication was evident, sparking conversations about the importance of mental health and dispelling the stigma surrounding it.
Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Asido Foundation, expressed passionately that “Mental health is a universal right for everyone. No one should suffer in silence, and our mission is to create an environment where everyone takes their mental health as important as their physical health. Suicide is preventable. Life is irreplaceable and so all hands must be on deck towards promoting mental health”. He further called for a general mindset shift in the perception of persons battling with mental health issues, adding that it is crucial everyone recognizes mental health not just as a topic of discussion but as an inherent human right.
The campaign raised awareness about mental health and demonstrated the power of community and collective action. Asido Foundation’s commitment to making mental health a universal human right was evident in every corner of the nation.
As the news of Asido Foundation’s World Mental Health Day campaign spreads across Nigeria, we hope that the conversation around mental health continues to gain momentum. The Foundation urges all Nigerians to join in this important cause and to support those who may be facing mental health challenges. Mental health is a universal human right; together, we can make the world a better place, one person at a time.
