AMANI Health Takes ‘Speak Up Now’ Initiative to Lagos Correctional Centres

By Vanessa Obioha

In a significant stride towards promoting mental health awareness, a non-profit organisation, AMANI Health, made a profound impact at the Lagos Correctional Centers in Onike and Idi-Araba with its initiative “Speak Up Now.”
The initiative focuses on fostering the well-being of children and adolescents across the region.

During their visit to Onike, The dynamic “Speak Up Now” campaign team engaged in a range of activities, aiming to provide solace and support to the boys residing at the centre. Through insightful counselling sessions, tailored to address these young individuals’ multifaceted mental health challenges, the team offered a ray of hope. Additionally, they furnished the boys with educational materials, aligned with the mental health awareness drive, enabling them to expand their knowledge and understanding of this crucial topic.

The campaign team proceeded to the Lagos Special Correctional Center in Idi-Araba, where the Speak Up Now team extended their empathy and assistance to girls who have experienced various forms of abuse, addiction, and behavioural challenges. Collaborating with AMANI Health’s expert therapists and counsellors, the team orchestrated impactful counselling sessions, providing these resilient young girls with an opportunity to heal and grow.

Emphasizing the profound significance of prioritizing the mental well-being of minors, the Speak Up Now team highlighted AMANI Health’s steadfast commitment to nurturing children’s emotional, psychological, academic, and social development. Co-founder of AMANI Health, Fasuyi Oluwarotimi, expressed, “The decision to focus on correctional centres as part of our campaign is rooted in alarming statistics that indicate an alarming rise in mental health challenges among children, including anxiety, depression, academic struggles, abuse, sexual violence, and even suicide. Amani Health believes it can lay the foundation for a positive future for children through early intervention and education for a brighter future for our children.”

Beyond the walls of correctional centres, Oluwarotimi urged schools and religious institutions to actively equip children with the essential tools and knowledge necessary to effectively navigate their emotions. Collaboration emerged as a powerful catalyst, as Oluwarotimi emphasized, “Together, we can create an environment that supports the thriving and flourishing of our children.
Since its launch in March 2023, the Speak Up Now campaign by Amani Health has actively reached out to numerous private schools in Lagos, fostering partnerships with the Lagos State government to raise awareness about mental health education and its vital role in the holistic well-being of children.