Empowering youth for mental wellness: SURPIN’s National Conference champions research in suicide prevention

The Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN) recently hosted its virtual National Conference, uniting stakeholders from various fields under the theme, “Research as a Tool for Promoting Future Mental Wellbeing among the Youth.” The event underscored the crucial role of research in fostering youth mental health and featured presentations from the winners of SURPIN’s 2022 National Research Competition, who showcased insights on how mental health awareness contributes to nation-building. By involving young minds in research and advocacy, SURPIN continues to pave the way for a new generation committed to mental wellness and suicide prevention.

Dr. Arit Esangbedo, SURPIN’s President, opened the conference with a powerful welcome address, linking the event’s theme to the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) focus for 2024–2026, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide Prevention.” Reflecting on SURPIN’s journey since its founding in 2017, Dr. Esangbedo highlighted the organization’s persistent efforts in saving lives through education and advocacy.

The Chairperson of the event, Dr. Oyekanmi officially inaugurated the conference, focusing on the societal toll of suicide, where an estimated 7 in every 100,000 Nigerians are affected. Stressing that suicide is preventable, she pointed to the widespread stigma that prevents many from seeking care and emphasized the need for collective action to address this issue and create supportive, stigma-free communities.

Prominent officials were in attendance, including Lagos State’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who praised SURPIN’s work and celebrated its leadership’s smooth transition. He underscored the importance of research in driving tailored mental health services, noting that a strong research foundation is vital for meaningful intervention and outreach. Prof. Abayomi reassured attendees of Lagos State’s continued support for SURPIN’s mission to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mr. Olatubosun Alake, further commended SURPIN’s impact on mental health and suicide prevention. Alake emphasized the significance of youth engagement in creating a mentally healthy society, stressing the need for young people to take an active role in mental wellness as part of their contribution to nation-building.

Other key speakers contributed valuable insights. Prof. Jude Ohaeri, a renowned psychiatrist, presented a compelling lecture on the role of research in dispelling mental health myths and promoting ethical inquiry. He described research as a tool for challenging misinformation, encouraging scientific curiosity, and advancing the understanding of mental health across disciplines.

SURPIN has reiterated its dedication to promoting mental health research among youth by committing to fund research projects at one secondary school and one tertiary institution. These awards will be given to the institutions with the highest attendance at the recent conference, encouraging the next generation to contribute to vital research in suicide prevention over the coming year.

At the conference, a set of key recommendations was shared, underscoring that suicide prevention is a shared responsibility and remains a critical health issue both globally and nationally. SURPIN continues to lead as the country’s most structured organization dedicated to suicide prevention, and its life-saving hotlines are a testament to the organization’s impact.

The recommendations also highlighted the untapped potential of young people in mental health research, stressing that early involvement in research can yield innovative insights. Furthermore, the conference noted a need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, both within the country and across regions, to address suicide more effectively. Improved cooperation among sectors, enhanced sharing of knowledge, and a review of existing school mental health programs were cited as essential steps in strengthening prevention efforts. With the current brain-drain, there is also an opportunity to leverage the expertise of mental health professionals in the diaspora through virtual collaboration.

To operationalize these recommendations, SURPIN will soon host a stakeholder meeting to develop a more coordinated suicide prevention strategy. This meeting aims to drive forward intelligence-sharing, expand multi-sector collaboration, and strengthen the nation’s overall mental health infrastructure.

Dr. Raphael Ogbolu, SURPIN’s founder, announced there will be an upcoming suicide prevention strategy meeting aimed at redefining the national approach to suicide prevention. Dr. Ogbolu highlighted SURPIN’s intention to move beyond prevention and intervention strategies, incorporating “postvention” — a supportive approach that helps those affected by suicide to cope, heal, and prevent further losses. With a promise to continue supporting youth-led research initiatives, he reinforced SURPIN’s mission to work with stakeholders toward a holistic and collaborative approach to suicide prevention.

SURPIN extends its sincere gratitude to all participants and organizations for their contributions to this conference, marking a collective step forward in building a robust response to suicide prevention.

The event concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to join forces in creating a society that values mental wellness, reduces stigma, and prioritizes suicide prevention. With initiatives like these, SURPIN aims to inspire a generation of youth leaders equipped to drive meaningful change in mental health advocacy.