Mental Health for Youth Initiative

Women everywhere equally deserve a chance to be themselves and show their full potential. Let's create a world of endless possibilities and support every woman out there who has a vision to be more than the society defines her to be. #16days #16daysofactivism #16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence #MHYI

As we continue to lend our voices to end Gender Based Violence, it is our hope that we do not have a repeat of last year in 2024. Let's use this year's campaign to make the world, and particularly Africa safer for women, by calling on government, organization, and people everywhere to speak out for women. #16days #16daysofactivism #16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence

As we commence the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, we invite you to join us in supporting this vital campaign aimed at eradicating violence against women and children in all its forms. Together, we have the power to take meaningful action. By uniting our voices, honouring survivors, and advocating for positive change, we can create a safer and more equitable world for all. #16DaysofActivism #EndGenderViolence #MentalHealthforYouthInitiative

Inclusion is one of the core value, at the heart of everything we do at the Mental Health for Youth Initiative (MHYI). To deepen our commitment to this value, we had a significant meeting with CBM Global Disability Inclusion, to explore ways to advance our work with People with Disabilities (PWDs). During the discussions, we identified several areas where our missions align, focusing on: • Creating sustainable programs that empower PWDs. • Advancing inclusion in mental health advocacy. • Building more impactful and scalable initiatives that foster growth and resilience. We are excited about the possibilities this collaboration holds and the potential to make a more inclusive and lasting impact in underserved communities. At MHYI, we truly believe that “Every Mind Matters,” and this step brings us closer to ensuring that no one is left behind. Together, we can transform lives and create a world where inclusion is not just an ideal but a reality. Abdulazeez Musa Philip Ode Mental Health for Youth Initiative Miranda Nkasi Deborah Solomon

Happy international Men's Day Remember: The strongest men are those who can express their emotions. Heal, Grow, Thrive: You Got this. #internationalmensday #mentalhealth #intervention

Here's to another year of innovation, leadership, and making a lasting impact! We wish you a wonderful day and many more years of success! Happy birthday 🎂 🎉 🥳🎊 Thank you for inspiring us all. #HappyBirthday #MentalHealth #MHYI

At Mental Health for Youth Initiative (MHYI), we believe that meaningful change begins with strong policies. 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 is a vital part of our mission, and we are proud to have played a role in pushing for the passing of the 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹, alongside the 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 and other dedicated organizations. On January 5, 2023, this bill was successfully passed—a monumental step toward improving mental health systems in Nigeria. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to driving policy reforms that prioritize mental health, ensure access to care, and create a supportive environment for all. But our work doesn’t stop here. We remain committed to advocating for policies that uplift mental health not only in Nigeria but across Africa. Together, we can build a future where mental well-being is a right, not a privilege. 💙 Day 14 of 30 😊 Photo from National Mental Wellness Session in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, CBM Global Disability Inclusion and other mental health organizations to commemorate World Mental Health Day, 2022 #MentalHealthAdvocacy #PolicyReform #MentalHealthForYouth #BetterTomorrow #MentalHealthAwareness #ResilientGeneration #AfricaMentalHealth

Today, I had the privilege of joining esteemed panelists at the United Nations UN@79 celebration, reflecting on our journey towards a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future. The discussions were thought-provoking, centering around how we, as a global community, can work toward peace, dignity, and equality for all. We explored themes like empowering youth, rethinking education, promoting gender equality, and building opportunities for every Nigerian, regardless of background. The conversations highlighted innovative ways young people can create opportunities, utilize social media responsibly, and embrace social entrepreneurship to drive change. Grateful for this opportunity to share insights and learn from remarkable thought leaders and changemakers. The path forward is one of partnership, with development organizations and stakeholders across sectors joining hands to create lasting impact. I look forward to collaborating with partners in bringing these ideas to life, driving meaningful change for Nigeria and beyond. Mohamed Malick Fall Elsie Attafuah Ronald Kayanja Comrade Olawande Ayodele E Kehinde Osotimehin - Olorunleke Tayo Olosunde Amb. Moses ABOLADE Joy Rademene Asonye Godwin Lasisi⚕️ #UNDay2024 #UN@79 #Development #YouthEmpowerment #SustainableFuture #GlobalGoals #Nigeria

Day 4 of 30:  My “Why” for Mental Health for Youth Initiative (MHYI) Think back to a time when you noticed a problem around you. Did you feel a call to do something about it? In 2018, as I began teaching at Baze University, I couldn’t ignore a pattern I was seeing in my students. Many were quietly struggling with mental health issues, and it struck a personal chord. In 2019, with the help of a student, Lilian Ari, i conducted a survey to get a clearer picture, and the results revealed three key challenges: i. 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙤 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙘 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙨 ii. 𝙇𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 iii. 𝘼 𝙝𝙪𝙜𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙥 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙨 These gaps reminded me of the questions I had as a young person, trying to navigate challenges I didn’t fully understand. So, I decided to create what I wish I’d had back then: a space for young people to access mental health support, learn, and feel empowered. Starting MHYI felt daunting, especially when people pointed out how underfunded the mental health space is. But a few people who truly understood my vision nudged me on. And here we are, five years later. Despite the challenges, we’ve reached over 5,000 young people directly and impacted millions more online. Every smile, every “thank you,” every story of impact makes this journey worth it. This is my “why.” This is why we’re here, 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱. In the coming days, I’ll share more about our work. If there’s anything specific you’d like to hear about, let me know in the comments. I’d also love to hear about a time you made an impact in your community. Share your story below—I’d be honored to read it. (Photos from our first school outreach at Baze University) United Nations Mohamed Malick Fall Elsie Attafuah UNDP Nigeria UNICEF Nigeria Z Zurich Foundation 'Dapo Oyewole Ronald Kayanja

At Mental Health for Youth Initiative (MHYI), our journey began with a mission to support young people’s mental well-being. But after serving in the field over the years, our mission sharpened, and our vision evolved to reflect the actual needs of our young people. We’ve learned that mental health issues intersect deeply with social challenges like gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health rights, substance abuse, and climate change—all of which can profoundly impact mental well-being. Each slide in this carousel captures a piece of who we are: our mission, our vision, our core values, and the impact we’re making. By focusing on these areas, we’re reaching those who need it most, aiming to empower a generation that’s resilient, mentally empowered, and ready to create a better future. 💪💙 Swipe through to learn more about how we’re making a difference. Together, let’s build a brighter, healthier future for young people across Africa. Day 5 of 30 Mental Health for Youth Initiative United Nations Z Zurich Foundation UNICEF Nigeria UNDP Nigeria Mohamed Malick Fall #MentalHealthForYouth #MHYI #YouthEmpowerment #MentalHealthAwareness #Impact #YouthInitiative #AfricaYouth