By Abubakar Yunusa
The Federal Government has thrown its weight behind efforts to integrate mental health support into schools, describing early intervention among adolescents and young people as critical to national development.
The endorsement came in Abuja on Thursday during the unveiling of the 2026–2030 Strategic Direction Plan and the maiden edition of the Mental Health and Self-Esteem E-Journal by the Initiative for Self-Esteem Education and Advocacy.
Representing the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, Dr Ojo Tunde Massey-Ferguson, the Assistant Director of Nursing and Head of the Coordinating Unit, Grace Ogunleye Adedunmade, said schools remained one of the most effective platforms for identifying and addressing mental health challenges among young people.
She noted that Nigeria’s youthful population constituted one of the country’s greatest assets, stressing that deliberate investments in mental health and wellbeing were necessary to harness their potential.
According to her, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has continued to prioritise prevention, early identification and prompt intervention in tackling mental health concerns.
“Schools provide a unique opportunity to reach young people early, build resilience and create supportive environments that promote healthy development,” she said.
Adedunmade pledged the programme’s commitment to working with ISEEA and other stakeholders to scale up evidence-based school mental health interventions across the country.
Earlier, the Founder and Executive Director of ISEEA, Rosemary Idanya Ochiwu, warned that increasing cases of anxiety, depression, substance abuse and low self-esteem among adolescents demanded urgent and coordinated action.
She said many schools lacked structured support systems, trained personnel and referral mechanisms to assist students struggling with emotional distress, bullying, abuse and other psychosocial challenges.
Ochiwu explained that the organisation’s four-year strategic plan would be driven by its THRIVE Model, designed to provide sustainable mental wellness support to more than 60,000 adolescents and young people nationwide.
The model, she said, includes school-based mental health clubs, teacher capacity development, referral and response pathways, family and community engagement, as well as virtual learning and digital support systems.
“Schools must become safe spaces and entry points where young people can access mental health education, peer support and personal development opportunities,” she said.
She added that ISEEA would intensify advocacy aimed at institutionalising mental wellness support within educational systems and youth development structures across the country.
Also speaking, Chief youth development officer,BIAGBORON STEPHEN Apoi assured the organisation of the ministry’s support.
He described the strategic direction as a significant step towards empowering young Nigerians, noting that self-esteem, resilience and confidence remained essential qualities for youths to contribute meaningfully to society and drive sustainable national development.
He added that stronger partnerships among government institutions, civil society organisations and development partners would be crucial to advancing youth development and improving the wellbeing of Nigerian youths.
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