The third edition of The Mental Health Conference (TMHC) convened at the Alliance Française, Ikoyi, focused on trauma awareness and mental health in the workplace, drawing professionals from medicine, law, business, media, and the arts. Organised by Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, widely known as The Celebrity Shrink, the conference was held under the theme “Trauma: What’s Your Story?” with a subtheme centred on “Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace.”
Dr. Maymunah opened the conference by urging attendees to confront trauma constructively. “We are here to turn our pain into power, our silence into story, and our stories into light,” she said, framing trauma as an ongoing internal experience rather than a singular past event. She emphasised the importance of acknowledging and articulating personal and collective trauma to facilitate healing.
Representing the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Medical Director and Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, delivered a keynote address outlining the “National Roadmap for Trauma Care and Mental Health Inclusion.” He highlighted plans for the establishment of National Trauma Centres and psychosocial intervention units across Nigeria, signalling governmental efforts to integrate trauma care into national health priorities.
A second keynote address by former Nigerian Bar Association President, Olumide Akpata, examined trauma in relation to justice and governance. He observed that systemic challenges such as insecurity, corruption, and unemployment exacerbate psychological distress. “True justice must be restorative, not merely punitive,” he said, expressing support for the government’s plan to decriminalise suicide by December 2025.
Additional presentations explored trauma from both personal and professional perspectives. Wale Ajiboye, curator of 16Stories, described trauma as a potential catalyst for personal growth, while journalist Stephanie Busari reflected on grief and resilience, noting that “grief doesn’t wait for permission, neither does trauma check your schedule.” Dr. Olasimbo Davidson led a session on Adverse Childhood Experiences, emphasising that awareness is the first step toward healing.
Panel discussions addressed the application of trauma-informed practices in workplaces and the intersections between mental, physical, and financial wellbeing. The conference concluded with a musical performance by Yinka Davies, whose rendition underscored the communal and personal dimensions of healing.
TMHC 3.0, through Dr. Maymunah’s leadership, reinforced the need for structured trauma care and workplace mental health initiatives, emphasising that addressing trauma requires both professional frameworks and societal engagement.
