According to WHO, one in four Nigerians are suffering from one mental illness or the other. If you are an online freak, you must have heard of mental health. The topic has been spreading like wildfire all over the world. In the past few years, mental health issues have become a rising concern in the world. Coincidentally, this includes Nigeria.
However, in recent times, mental wellness startups in Nigeria have sprung up to battle this problem. These organizations aim to provide creative solutions and manage and address the country’s behavioural health challenges. Below is a list of some of these important startups.
Safe Space–Creating A Supportive Community
Safe Space is a mental wellness startup in Nigeria. Its focus is on creating awareness and providing a safe space for young people with emotional wellness challenges. Naomi Opara, a mental wellness advocate, started this organization in 2016. The startup provides online support groups and workshops. In addition, it organizes events that promote awareness. These events address the negativity around behavioural health issues.
Furthermore, Safe Space provides professionals with counselling services. They utilize digital technology to provide increased access to mental health information and care. Through this platform, they push for the acceptance of groups seen as outcasts into mental wellness intervention plans. This startup group aims to establish a community of 15,000 passionate, mentally aware advocates in 2030.
She Writes Woman–Breaking The Stigma
She writes that women seek to provide a safe space for all Nigerians with a focus on women. They provide spaces for women to share their stories and experiences with mental health. Hauwa Ejiofor, a survivor of PTSD, founded this group in 2016.
The aim is to use writing as a form of therapy. This helps women process their emotions and find healing. In addition, She Writes Woman provides workshops, support groups, and online resources. Through these, they promote mental awareness and reduce the after-effects of traumatic experiences.
Mental Health And More–Accessible Counseling Services
Dr. Maymunah Kadiri, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, is the founder of this group. The startup offers counselling sessions online. It aims to make it easier for people to get mental health services from the comfort of their own homes. Mental Health and More also partners with schools and organizations to provide behavioural health education and support.
Psyndup–Mental Education And Support
Psyndup provides education and support to Nigerian citizens. This organization wants to change the way Nigerians access mental health care. They run a free online database and directory services for clinical professionals. This is possible through their “find a therapist” feature. This allows users to find a mental health professional closest to them. The cofounders, Fumilade Taiwo (CEO) and Eghosa Ogbeigun (CTO), launched the platform on the 12th of March, 2027. Their objective is to ease the accessibility of mental health services in Nigeria. They partner with Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative, Asktoks.com, and Digital Health Nigeria.
The Mindful Nigeria–Mindfulness And Meditation
This Nigerian startup promotes mindfulness and meditation as a way of improving mental health issues. Its founder, Adebayo Adegbite, is a mindfulness coach. The Mindful Nigerian offers online courses, workshops, and retreats to help individuals cultivate mindfulness and reduce stress. The company partners with schools and organizations to promote mindful and meditation practices.
The Journey So Far On Mental Health In Nigeria
Through these mental wellness startups, many Nigerians have found the strength to embrace and access mental health information. They have also become less wary of accessing mental health facilities. These groups play an important role in addressing the country’s psychological health challenges. They provide solutions like counselling services, support groups, and behavioural health education. By doing so, these startup groups help to improve the mental and physical well-being of Nigerians. It is important to support and encourage the work of these groups. Hopefully, this will make quality mental wellness services accessible to everyone in Nigeria.
Mental health is a serious concern and should be treated as such. Thankfully, these startups are playing their part in addressing this concern.
