Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI) a Non-Governmental Organization in Nigeria has announced its plans to kick off Adolescent Mental Health Capacity Building Project for the young persons within the Federal Capacity Territory, Abuja.
This, according to the organisation, is part an effort to creating sustainable avenues to raise more awareness on Mental Health issues such as depression, suicidal thoughts, Low self Esteem amongst others in the country.
Speaking at a Press Conference organized by the organization in Abuja yesterday, Executive Director, of MHEI, Ameh Zion said the goal of this project is to build a mentally healthy young adolescent community/population in 10 selected secondary schools within the F.C.T-Abuja.
“This Capacity building also aims at helping the young persons to understand the need to prioritize ones mental health and safeguard it by all means possible from unforseen circumstances right from their youthful age.”
“Twenty students will be selected from the schools to participate in the training after which examination will be conducted and successful trainees awarded with the school mental health advocacy certificates.”
Ameh, while speaking about the target beneficiaries of this project said: “the target group for the training are 200 older adolescents aged 14-19years, The direct beneficiaries of this project are 20 school counsellors and the 200 students from the 10 selected secondary schools within the FCT”.
“This project will consider gender and social inclusion therefore adolescent girls would be highly encouraged to participate in the training.
“We are also interested in the population of students with disabilities as Youth who have disabilities experience mental health issues at higher rates than their peers without disabilities
He added that Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are more likely than their nondisabled peers to experience depression and anxiety.
“Youth with learning disabilities have increased risk for severe depression and suicide. Also Youth with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida have increased risk for severe depression” Ameh stated.
Adolescent Mental Project is proudly supported British Council, European Union, Agents for Citizens Driven Transformation amongst others.
The website for the project has been declared open registration for students parents and the general public interest in Adolescent Mental Health Capacity building HERE
Also Universal Toll free line for psychosocial support is 0800643422737 0800MHEICARES.