Nightingale Foundation Intensifies Mental Health Advocacy, Targets Lagos Mainland For New Treatment Centre

The Founder of Nightingale Mental Health Foundation, Ms. Folorunso Olubukola, has reiterated her commitment to promoting mental health awareness and expanding access to treatment across Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State, where she says the prevalence of mental health issues among youths requires urgent attention.

Speaking during a recent interview, Ms. Folorunso shared how a personal experience involving a friend’s mental breakdown years ago inspired her to specialize in mental health and begin advocacy as far back as 1997.

“After our youth service, one of my friends suddenly developed a mental health crisis after her wedding. The experience was traumatic and made me realize how little attention we gave to mental health. That incident marked the beginning of my journey into mental health advocacy,” she said.

For Nigeria’s dynamic scenarios, the theme of the World Mental Health Day serves as a reminder that there is no health without mental health. This year focuses on the need to support the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by different local emergencies.

According to her, when she was at Leicester, where she studied courses related to mental health illness, focusing on men’s mental health and the challenges faced by medical officers in addressing the issue. She noted that Nigeria, especially Lagos State, has made notable improvements in mental health advocacy and service delivery.

“Mental health is gradually gaining acceptance in Nigeria, and Lagos State has taken commendable steps. However, much work remains to change people’s perceptions and separate mental health from cultural or spiritual misconceptions,” she added.

The world health organization (WHO) believes that one in five individuals experiences a mental health condition which may occur as a result of crises such as flooding, erosion, conflicts, displacements, and other public health emergencies that cause emotional distress hence, supporting the mental well-being of individuals during such crises is not just important but it saves lives, gives people the strength to cope, the space to heal and to recover and rebuild not only as individuals but as communities. That’s why it is essential for everyone, including government officials, health and social care providers, school staff and community groups to come together. By working hand in hand, we can ensure the most vulnerable have access to the support they need while protecting the well-being of everyone.

On support, Ms. Folorunso emphasized that the Nightingale Mental Health Foundation continues to complement government efforts through community sensitization and outreach programs, especially in underserved areas like Mushin, where substance abuse among youths is on the rise, hence, we cannot relent until sanity is restored among our youths battling serious mental health challenges. Our foundation is here to supplement government efforts in creating awareness and helping people seek timely intervention,” she stressed.

The foundation, she disclosed, is working toward establishing a new treatment and support centre between Ikeja and its environs to make mental health services more accessible to residents on the Lagos mainland. The centre will offer affordable services and counseling for individuals in need of help.

Although the foundation could not carry out its planned activities during this year’s World Mental Health Day due to unforeseen circumstances, Ms. Folorunso assured that a series of advocacy events would be held before the end of the year to sustain public engagement and education.

Also, she reaffirmed the foundation’s vision of building “a mentally healthy world free from suffering caused by mental illness,” and its mission to inform, advocate, and enable access to treatment, support, and research. Mental health is real, and it’s something we can prevent when we take it seriously. We must allow people to be themselves, accept that mental illness exists, and seek help early,” she added.