This week, Hauwa Ojeifo gives an overview of the state of mental health services in Nigeria and outlines the actions taken by different stakeholders to ease access to mental health support. Hauwa publicly identifies as a person who lives with a mental health condition and psychosocial disability. Popularly tagged as the voice and face of mental health in Nigeria, Hauwa has received numerous local and international honours and recognition. She is the Executive Director at She Writes Woman (SWW); an award-winning movement that gives mental health a voice in Nigeria. She is the creator of Safe Place Nigeria - a digital community for mental health-conscious Nigerians to access tools, resources (24/7 toll-free helpline), professionals (counselors and therapists), and a community to ensure a mentally healthy society. As a sexual violence survivor, she is giving mental health and sexual violence a voice; taking back the existing misinformed narrative and normalising mental health conversations in Nigeria.

Learn more about the recently signed Mental Health Bill and the tangible impact of mental health advocacy efforts through NGOs such as She Writes Woman