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 10 schools across Lagos, Nigeria from 2024 to 2029. 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 school 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 MHAC club provide a wide range of activities to educate students and offer support to those experiencing mental health challenges including:

  • Mental Health Education: These sessions teach students about mental health, how to recognize signs of mental health issues, and where to seek 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 counsellor offices, designed to be welcoming spaces where students feel comfortable seeking mental health support.
  • Journaling and Scrabble Games: To encourage emotional expression, build self-awareness and reduce stress, students engage in activities like journalling and Scrabble, using these tools help foster positive mental health discussions in a relaxed, enjoyable environment.
  • 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

Increased Mental Health Awareness: By 2029, over 3,000 students across 10 schools will have received comprehensive mental health education, leading to early detection and proactive mental health management.

  • Established Peer Support Networks: Each school will host a fully functional mental health club with at least 60 active members, helping to destigmatize mental health issues and encouraging students to speak openly about their struggles.
  • Increased Help-Seeking Behaviour: Through the "My Go-to Person" initiative and the establishment of welcoming counselling spaces, students will feel more comfortable seeking help, resulting in an overall improvement in mental health support within schools.
We are excited to announce the launch of our Mental Health Awareness Club (MHAC) in two (2) schools this 2024/2025 academic session! Would you like us to bring the MHAC Club to your school too? Send an email to [email protected]. Let’s work together to raise mental health awareness and support students in creating a healthier, more supportive school environment!