Many communities are scarred by violence and conflict, and the most overlooked wounds are the invisible ones—those carried silently by children. But for Ndidiamaka Ani Christiana, a seasoned mental health therapist, helping children heal from trauma is not just a profession; it is a mission.
Born in Akpugo, Nigeria, Ndidiamaka has dedicated over seven years to supporting children and adolescents affected by trauma, abuse, and mental health challenges. With a master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Mental Health from the University of Ibadan, she has focused her career on restoring dignity and hope to the youngest survivors of violence.
“I believe that mental health is not merely the absence of illness but a dynamic state of resilience, belonging, and growth,” she says.
Her most impactful work came through her role at the Sexual Offenses Awareness and Response (SOAR) Initiative, where she served as the Child and Teen Psychotherapist and Center Coordinator. There, Ndidiamaka provided one-on-one and group therapy sessions for young survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. She conducted psychological assessments, facilitated support groups, and played a crucial role in developing important frameworks such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Assessment Tool and a Code of Conduct for staff.
She has also worked on global development projects, including the USAID-funded CARE-GBV initiative and the CDC-funded IRIS Project, both implemented under the Center for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP). These interventions extended her impact beyond therapy—helping rebuild emotional safety nets and strengthening systems of care for vulnerable children and adolescents.
“As a therapist, I don’t see young people as problems to be fixed, but as individuals with strengths and stories,” Ndidiamaka says. “My role is to create spaces of healing and dignity where they feel heard and empowered.”
Outside the therapy room, Ndidiamaka has led several outreach efforts, including radio sensitization campaigns and mental health awareness initiatives. She also volunteers with Strategy for Innovation and Development Initiative (SI4DEV), where she has organized community-based programs on health and education in underserved parts of Abuja.
Looking ahead, her commitment to healing and advocacy remains unwavering. “It takes a community to build a world that is safe, inclusive, and healthy for all,” she says.
In every space she has worked, Ndidiamaka Ani has proven that recovery from trauma is possible—and that with care, compassion, and community, childhood can be reclaimed, even in the aftermath of pain.
