Stakeholders, medical professionals, entrepreneurs, and youth advocates have called for greater awareness, early intervention, and community support to address the growing challenge of mental health disorders, particularly among young women and adolescents.
The appeal was made at The Femmec Cycle, a mental health awareness and empowerment programme convened by 21-year-old youth advocate Aisha Dahiru-Sulaiman. The initiative was designed to educate participants on mental health, legal rights, digital content creation, and economic empowerment, while promoting greater awareness of the challenges facing young people, particularly women.
Speaking at the event, Aisha said the initiative was inspired by her personal experience with mental health challenges and her desire to help others facing similar struggles.
She noted that many young people, especially women, suffer from depression and other mental health conditions without recognizing the symptoms or knowing where to seek help.
According to her, mental health issues remain largely misunderstood in many communities, where conditions such as depression are often ignored, stigmatized, or attributed to misconceptions. She stressed the need for continuous public enlightenment to help people understand that mental health disorders are real and treatable.
Aisha explained that her research identified several factors contributing to depression among young women, including family instability, abuse, bullying, and other forms of emotional and psychological trauma. She urged society to create safer environments where victims can speak openly and access professional support without fear of discrimination.
She also encouraged individuals experiencing mental health challenges to seek medical attention, revealing that therapy played a significant role in her own recovery journey. According to her, professional counselling and psychotherapy can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people struggling with depression and related conditions.
In her remarks, Bilkis Ibrahim Suleiman, mother of the convener, shared her daughter’s experience with prolonged health challenges that led to emotional and psychological distress. She explained that incorrect diagnoses and treatments contributed to a series of medical complications that affected her daughter’s mental well-being before she eventually received proper care.
Bilkis said the experience inspired Aisha’s commitment to mental health advocacy and community education. She noted that the programme was designed not only to raise awareness about mental health but also to encourage women’s empowerment through education, entrepreneurship, and mentorship.
Delivering a presentation on mental health, medical practitioner Dr. Saudat Abdusalam described mental health as a vital component of overall well-being. She explained that it encompasses emotional, psychological, and social health and plays a critical role in how individuals cope with life’s challenges, maintain relationships, and contribute to society.
Dr. Saudat highlighted common misconceptions surrounding mental health disorders, noting that conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse disorders are often misunderstood. She stressed that mental health conditions are medical issues that can be effectively managed and treated when identified early and addressed appropriately.
She further identified several factors associated with mental health disorders, including genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalances, poverty, unemployment, marital challenges, and postpartum changes. The physician urged families and communities to support affected individuals, avoid stigmatization, and encourage those experiencing symptoms to seek professional medical care.
Participants at the programme commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that provided valuable information on mental health, self-development, and women’s empowerment. They expressed hope that continued awareness campaigns would help reduce stigma, improve access to support services, and promote healthier communities.