Foundation educates students on Mental Health First Aid

The Dora-Care Behavioral Foundation has organised a Mental Health First Aid outreach for Ikorodu Senior High School in Lagos, to enhance mental health awareness among young people.

 

READ ALSO:Expert seeks greater community engagement in mental health management

 

Ms Akinyelure Feyikemi, the Foundation’s Founder, said on Wednesday that the programme would teach students critical mental health knowledge and first aid skills.

 

According to her, equipping students with the tools to understand and support their own mental health is crucial for fostering a generation that is academically capable and mentally resilient.

 

“As mental health challenges among students continue to rise with stress, anxiety and academic pressure often contribute to emotional distress.

 

“This initiative seeks to arm students with the knowledge to recognise, manage and assist themselves and others during mental health crises,” Feyikemi said.

 

She expressed the Foundation’s gratitude to the Lagos State Government for granting approval for the programme, reinforcing the state’s commitment to its youth’s mental and emotional well-being.

 

She said, “As the conversation around mental health grows, this programme represents a pivotal move towards integrating mental health education into the educational system.

 

“Ensuring students are prepared for academic success and equipped to thrive emotionally and mentally.

 

“Let’s build a future, where everyone thrives mentally and emotionally.”

 

The programme featured esteemed speakers, including Dr Joseph Ogba, from the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba, who highlighted how physical health impacts mental well-being.

 

Ogba explained that there was no physical health without mental health, saying that sound mental health was paramount to ensuring physical health.

 

According to him, the students should care for their mental health as they care for physical health, stressing that it comes first.

 

Miss Oluwatosin Kolawole, a Public Health professional and Mental Health Advocate, spoke on healthy coping strategies for stress, anxiety and peer pressure.

 

Kolawole explained that peer pressure played a vital role in shaping one’s life and future outcomes, stressing the need to maintain healthy relationships/friendships among the students.

 

Mr Lucky Jet, Head of the Child and Adolescent Occupational Therapy Unit at the same hospital, spoke on the importance of mental health first aid.

 

Jet emphasised that every student had essential role in supporting his or her peers.

He urged the students to always lend a helping hand to one another and be their brother’s keeper.

 

“If you notice some emotional changes in your friend or fellow student, don’t hesitate to approach them at least about the issues bothering the person and then, lend help in any way you can.

“Your words, approach or help may go a long to stop the next person from going into depression or having suicidal thoughts,” he said.

 

NAN/Wumi