Schools Must Become Safe Spaces For Mental Health Support – ISEEA

The Initiative for Self-Esteem Education and Advocacy (ISEEA) has called for schools across Nigeria to be strengthened as safe spaces where adolescents and young people can access mental health support, warning that rising cases of anxiety, depression, substance abuse and low self-esteem require urgent and coordinated intervention.

The founder and executive director of ISEEA, Rosemary Idanya Ochiwu, made the call in Abuja during a press conference to unveil the organisation’s 2026–2030 Strategic Direction Plan and the maiden edition of its Mental Health and Self-Esteem E-Journal.

Ochiwu said the challenges confronting young people have become too complex for fragmented interventions, stressing the need for a systems-based approach that integrates mental wellness support into schools, families and communities.

According to her, many adolescents are already battling emotional distress, bullying, abuse, social pressure, substance use and mental health conditions, while schools often lack structured support systems, trained personnel and referral pathways to respond effectively.

She said the organisation’s four-year strategic plan will focus on implementing its THRIVE Model, aimed at reaching over 60,000 adolescents and young people nationwide.

The model includes school-based mental health clubs, teacher training and capacity development, referral and response systems, family and community engagement, as well as virtual learning and digital support tools.

“Schools must become safe spaces and entry points where young people can access mental health education, peer support and personal development opportunities,” she said.

Ochiwu added that the organisation would intensify policy advocacy to ensure mental wellness is formally embedded within Nigeria’s education and youth development systems.

She noted that sustainable progress would depend on strong institutions, effective policies and evidence-based interventions.

As part of its advocacy drive, she announced the launch of the organisation’s Mental Health and Self-Esteem E-Journal, which features expert contributions, policy recommendations, data insights and personal stories from young people navigating mental health challenges.

“The journal is more than a publication. It is a platform for amplifying voices, reducing stigma, encouraging dialogue and promoting evidence-informed action,” she said.

Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, Dr. Ojo Tunde Massey-Ferguson, represented by Grace Ogunleye Adedunmade, commended ISEEA for its structured approach to addressing youth mental health challenges.

He said Nigeria’s youthful population remains a critical national asset, adding that targeted investment in mental health is essential for long-term development.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is increasingly prioritising prevention, early detection and early intervention in mental health care.

He noted that schools remain one of the most effective platforms for identifying challenges early and building resilience among young people.

He also pledged the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with ISEEA and other stakeholders to scale up school-based mental health interventions nationwide.

A representative of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development also expressed support for the initiative, describing it as timely and strategic in addressing the wellbeing of young Nigerians.

The ministry noted that self-esteem, resilience and confidence are essential qualities needed for youth productivity and national development.

It added that stronger partnerships between government agencies, civil society organisations and development partners would be critical to improving youth mental health outcomes and overall wellbeing.