Founder, Mental Health Fellowship, Nigeria, Kunle Adewale (sitting), with some members of the Fellowship during the project launch. |
In commemoration of the World Mental Health Day 2021, the first Mental Health Fellowship has been launched in Nigeria.
Founder of Mental Health Fellowship, Nigeria, Kunle Adewale,
a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at the University of
California, San Francisco, in his welcome address at the inauguration, said:
“The Mental Health Fellowship is an initiative driven by young people for young
people and the next generation.
The programme aims to provide an incredible network and
professional development opportunities for young people where they can be
inspired and inspire one another through peer mentoring and collective
community projects on mental health education, advocacy and engagements.”
“Through the Mental Health Fellowship, we aspire to amplify
the voices of the youths at local, national and global arena through
collaboration with the relevant government agencies, non-governmental
organisations (NGOs), faith-based organisations, civil societies, diplomatic
missions, among many others.”
Also, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate, Lagos,
Jennifer Foltz, in her opening remarks said: “This year alone, he has launched
no fewer than three different projects. Originally an artist, he has made a
far-reaching foray into the field of medicine and has made a tremendous impact
with all of his initiatives.”
She further stated that the fellowship is directly
supporting one of the aims of the U.S. Mission, which is good health for the
population. She, therefore, applauded Kunle for being an excellent alumnus who
is contributing positively to Nigerian society.”
In the same vein, the keynote speaker, Dr. Maymunah Kadiri
(The Leading and Vital Voice for Mental Health in Africa), emphasised that
according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), half of the mental health
illnesses commence before the age of 14 and two-thirds before the age of 24.
She said: “Even though we have a global pandemic, increase
in mental health issues is a pandemic within the pandemic.”
Adewale, in his closing remarks, said: “We believe that the
youths have what it takes and our task as a fellowship is to help them create a
synergy, build a system and strategy in achieving collective positive mental
health for our shared humanity.
Because mental health does not discriminate, let’s be human
together regardless of our social status, race, tribe, ethnicity or
nationality. Together, let’s raise mental health champions, advocates,
activists, ambassadors and humanists that would make the world a better place.”
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