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…as SDF launch mental health app, urge youth to normalise conversations on wellness

By Gloria Ikibah

As Nigeria join the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s Mental Health Week, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, educators, policymakers, and technology stakeholders to safeguard the mental well-being of young Nigerians in an increasingly digital world.

The Minister, who was represented by the Acting Director of the Department of Youth Health, Mental and Psychosocial Affairs, Emmanuel Essien, made the appeal at the 7th Annual Conference of the SDF international initiative on Tuesday in Abuja, commended the organisers and partners for placing youth mental health and environmental well-being “on the front burner of national discourse.”

The Minister noted that while the digital space offers today’s youth immense opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection, it also presents serious emotional and psychological challenges.

“We are living in an era where the digital space is not only a tool, rather, our constant companion.

“For today’s youth, digital space shapes identity, encourages creativity, offers all kinds of opportunities for learning and connection. But in some cases, it also often leads to emotional overload.

“The constant influx of uncensored information and the endless space of digital life contribute immensely to the mental well-being of young people as they juggle their academic, socio-economic, educational expectations and 24/7 digital commitments without the necessary tools to manage stress and maintain balance”, he stated.

Speaking on the conference theme — “Reimagining Youth Mental Health in the Digital World: Identity, Involvement, and Connection”, Comrade Olawande described it as “a call not only to understand these challenges, but to envision new paths that embrace innovation, empathy, and resilience.”
“We live in a moment unlike any before, where the very foundation of how people think, feel, and relate to themselves and others are being reshaped by the digital landscape.

“To reimagine youth mental health in this world, we must really carefully listen deeply and act quickly.”
She explained that the three key concepts — identity, involvement, and connection — define the modern youth experience”, he said.

On identity, he noted: “Adolescence is a time of self-discovery for many people. But today, that journey unfolds not only in our homes and classrooms, but across screens, feeds, and platforms. Every part of identity, from gender to culture to belonging, is now public, reactive, and often permanent.”

He added that digital identity formation “offers both promise and pressure,” and urged stakeholders to help young people “build identities that are rooted in authenticity.”

“Because the answer lies not in putting them offline, but in helping them to replace the online with the internal, by giving them the tools, space, and guidance to explore their identities safely, effectively, and without judgement,” the minister said.

Discussing overload, he described it as “the silent epidemic of the digital age.”

“Today’s young people are exposed to more information before they first, than previous generations encountered in a month. Their attention is divided. Their mental health is tasked. They remain constantly searching for answers about their identity.

“This is not just a challenge or discussion. It is a public mental issue that builds anxiety, depression, burnout, loneliness, and more of it,” she explained.

He stressed the need for digital hygiene and mental health literacy, adding that young people must be equipped “to be safe, disconnect, and decompress.”
On connection, the Minister said the paradox of modern society is that young people are “more connected than ever, yet feel increasingly alone.”

“Social media was designed to link us, but for many youths, it amplifies comparison over connection, performance over presence.

“The online lives and youths are no replacement for genuine family connection or sense of belonging. But without missing out, the digital world bears incredible potential for connection, if digitally, perfectly, and intentionally.”

He highlighted how Nigerian youth have built vibrant online communities centred around mental health, inclusivity, and shared experiences — something he described as a positive outcome of digital innovation.

“So, the question is this: whether digital connection is good or bad for society and the development of the minds of young people? What kind of connection are we encouraging? Is it beneficial? Is it mutual? Is it safe?.

“Let’s join hands and encourage young people to read digital tools, not just to question, but to create, to collaborate, and to care for each other and for society at large”, he urged.

In her remarks, the Founder and Executive Director of SDF International Initiatives, Dr. Sa’adatu Adamu, called on Nigerians, particularly young people, to openly discuss mental health issues and help end the stigma surrounding them.

Dr. Adamu reflected on the organisation’s seven-year journey of “purpose and compassion.”

She noted that what began as a modest project in 2017, training counsellors and principals in over 50 public schools within the FCT, had now evolved into a national movement.

She said: “It can only be God. Seven years of consistency. Seven years ago, SDF Initiative took a bold step of faith — a step driven by purpose and compassion to create and promote mental health literacy.

“By the grace of God, SDF has successfully inaugurated 10 mental health school clubs across the FCT, established a rehabilitation centre, and founded an institution dedicated to mental health training and advocacy”.

She also announced the official launch of the organisation’s “Mind Talk” mobile app, designed to support individuals seeking mental health guidance both within and outside Nigeria.

“Today, we stand proud, not because of the journey, but because God has been faithful — and because of the ongoing support of partners, friends, and stakeholders who believe in our vision to secure the future,” she added.

She encouraged participants to take advantage of the event to network and build meaningful connections, adding that mental health is a shared responsibility.

“Mental health is everyone’s responsibility. Until we understand that there’s nothing shameful about it, we cannot normalise the conversation or reduce stigma.

“Too many things are happening on social media — how can we support young people who are always online? Let’s all be part of the conversation.

“We are trying to understand what the youth are thinking, where they are, the basic things that they can sum up to and save mental health. So today, I want to say thank you to the team for putting together

“Our goal is to reimagine how we can better support young people, to help them find balance, build resilience and create meaningful connections in this fast, changing digital era, we are honored to host the seventh annual Mental Health Conference in partnership with please”, she said.

Also speaking, ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu commended SDF for addressing root causes of mental health challenges through advocacy, counseling, and capacity-building.

The ICPC Chairman who was represented by Godwin Basheru, restated its commitment to youth engagement, noting several initiatives including the Students Anti-Corruption Clubs in schools and the EPIC Sport Podcast on social media.

“The youth are instrumental to change in any society. We must equip them with values of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

“There’s no guessing that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and they emerge from our society in the nearest future.

“Therefore, it is imperative to prioritise youth mental health and well-being. I commend the SDF for its outstanding efforts in tackling the root causes of mental health anomalies and providing professional help through psychotherapy, counselling, and capacity building. Since inception in 2000, the ICPC has buffered several youth-centred initiatives because the IC believes that for change to happen in any society, the youth are instrumental.

“For instance, we have the National Values Curriculum for Basic Education. This same curriculum is being extended to tertiary institutions. We have students’ anti-corruption clubs in basic and secondary schools.

At the tertiary level, we have the students’ anti-corruption vanguards. We also have our NYSC CDS group, known as the Anti-Corruption CDS group. All these anti-corruption initiatives are to support grassroots and stakeholders’ engagement and mobilisation against corruption.

We engage the youth from time to time through regular sensitisation, both physically and in the digital space. And I want to use this opportunity to inform this house that because of the special place we have for the youth, the ICPC has created what is now called the EthicsPod. It’s a podcast that is on our Instagram page.

He urge all youth to “envisage a brighter future by rejecting every form of corruption. Promote integrity, transparency, and accountability at all times you find yourselves anywhere. Together, we can build a society where hard work and honesty are valued”.

Delivering his goodwill message, Dr. Alhassan Sule, Acting Executive Chairman of FCT-UBEB, underscored the connection between education and mental health.

“We must nurture the whole child—academically, emotionally, and socially. Quality education must include mental health education, counseling, and supportive learning environments,” he said.

He called for the integration of mental health education into school curricula to build resilience and prepare learners to thrive in an ever-changing digital world.

The conference brought together mental health advocates, policymakers, educators, and young leaders committed to creating a healthier, more resilient generation.