Sept. 18, 2024
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TEENS MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME

MENTAL HEALTH CLUB

OVERVIEW

Nigeria is grappling with the stigmatisation and lack of awareness surrounding mental health, and children and adolescents are often left out of these important conversations. Mental health issues in children and adolescents are frequently misunderstood or overlooked, leaving them without the necessary support systems to thrive emotionally and mentally. Children and adolescents spend approximately 8 hours of their time in school and the absence of mental health education and support in schools has dire consequences, including poor academic performance, social isolation, and long-term psychological issues.

Recognising the urgent need to address this gap, Blaze Health Foundation (BHF) is taking action by launching Mental Health Club ( MHAC Club)  in schools across Lagos, Nigeria. These clubs will create safe, supportive environments where mental health education is prioritised, peer support is accessible, and stigma is actively curbed, ensuring that children and adolescents receive the care and attention they need.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MHAC CLUB

The Mental Health Club is designed to foster mental health literacy among students, reduce stigma, and build peer-led support networks. Each club consist of 15% of the student population, trained as peer educators to promote mental health awareness within their schools. These students act as advocates, helping to raise awareness of mental health challenges and encourage their peers to seek help early.

CLUB ACTIVITIES

The mental health club provide a wide range of activities to educate students and offer support to those experiencing mental health challenges.

Some of the activities that takes place weekly across different schools include:

  • Mental Health Education: These sessions teach students about mental health, how to recognise signs of mental health issues, and how to ask for help. The goal is to equip students with the tools needed to take charge of their mental well-being and support others.
  • Counselling Services: BHF works closely with school counsellors to offer individual and group counselling sessions. To ensure these services are accessible, we set up dedicated counselling spaces in each school, these spaces are designed to be welcoming in order for students to feel comfortable and confident getting mental health support from us.
  • Practical mental health activities: Students engage in different activities like journaling, games, meditation,  and art. Using these tools helps to encourage emotional expression, build self-awareness and reduce stress, as well as create a safe and positive environment in the school where students can be their authenic selves while discovering their potentials.
  • Peer Support through "My Go-to Persons": Each club appoints five students as "My Go-to Persons", who serve as first responders for their peers. These students receive advanced training to provide immediate support and guide their peers to further professional help when needed.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

By 2029, we expect that at least 3,000 students across schools in Lagos will receive comprehensive mental health education, leading to early detection of mental health issues and an overall improvement in mental health support and management within schools. 

So far, we have 230 club members across in 3 public schools.

Through this mental health clubs we are creating environments where every child's mental health is prioritised and protected.  Join us, let’s work together to raise mental health awareness and support students in creating a healthier, more supportive school environment!