CALMHAF, Obra Foundation & Enugu MOH unite against Suicide

01
Written By Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu

World Suicide Prevention Day 2026 — Enugu

Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation (CALMHAF), in partnership with Obra Foundation and the Enugu State Ministry of Health, marked World Suicide Prevention Day with a two-day community programme in Enugu. The activities aligned with the global theme of changing the narrative on suicide and starting the conversation — moving from silence and stigma toward openness, compassion, and practical support. Our co-founder, Coach Uzoamaka Nwachukwu, served as keynote speaker. On 9 September we jointly held a Health Walk to take the message of suicide prevention and mental wellbeing into public spaces.

Health Walk — 9 September 2026

The walk was designed as visible, accessible advocacy: people of different ages and backgrounds moving together through familiar streets, carrying the message that checking on one another, speaking up, and listening without judgment can save lives. It also signalled that mental health is not only a clinical issue but a community responsibility.

World Suicide Prevention Day Programme — 10 September 2026

Coach Uzoamaka Nwachukwu, Co-Founder of Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation and COLI Academy, delivered the keynote. She is a trained child psychologist, counsellor, ife coach, and mental health first aider. Her address emphasised early support, the reality of hidden distress, the importance of safe spaces, and the fact that help is available and hope is real.

Our perspective

These days were not a one-off commemoration. They were an extension of our year-round work: reducing stigma, training people in mental health first aid and emotional skills, offering counselling, and keeping a toll-free line open so no one has to struggle alone.

Partnership with Obra Foundation (the community arm associated with Obra Legal LP) and the Enugu State Ministry of Health showed how legal, public-health, and mental-health actors can work together. The legal profession’s involvement underscored that wellbeing belongs in every sector, including the courts and the workplace.

Continuing the work

World Suicide Prevention Day is 10 September. Prevention is every day.

If you or someone you know is in distress:

  • Call our toll-free helpline: 0800 000 2673

  • Seek one-on-one support at our Resource Centre in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu

  • Join our September “Let’s Talk” safe-space sessions (Fridays, 9:00 a.m.)

Check on your people. Speak up. Listen without judgment. You do not have to go through it alone.

Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation
Empowering mental wellness through awareness, education, and compassionate support.
www.copeandlive.foundation

Report prepared from the Foundation’s participation in the 9–10 September 2026 Enugu programme.

Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu
Next

Why Is It So Difficult for Us to Talk About Suicide?