At Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation, we believe menstrual hygiene is more than just a pad — it’s about knowledge, dignity, confidence, and breaking stigma.

People of real value—whether innovators, caregivers, or community anchors—know that unaddressed mental health erodes everything else. High self-awareness is the bridge: it turns awareness of your own struggles into proactive care. Self-awareness is the launching pad for understanding ourselves and our relationships better, taking better care of our mental health and wellbeing, and living a life that feels fulfilling and expansive.

Those who value mental health aren’t fragile; they’re strategic, resilient, and profoundly human.

She also highlighted the dangers of lacking emotional intelligence, such as poor emotion regulation, uncontrolled anger, impulsive behaviour, difficulty forming healthy relationships, increased risk of anxiety, depression, and involvement in violent or risky actions.

In a society where many young males lack proper guidance, targeted interventions like this serve as a powerful preventive mechanism against social breakdown, substance abuse, cultism, and gender-based violence.

We are deeply grateful for this timely and impactful collaboration with the Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation. Our youth volunteers play critical roles in disaster response and humanitarian service, often facing high-stress situations. Equipping them with mental health knowledge, emotional intelligence, and practical coping strategies is not just beneficial — it is essential for their resilience and effectiveness in the field.

At the core of our mission is the belief that a mentally healthy and value-driven child today produces a stable, productive, and peaceful society tomorrow. By focusing on boys at this formative age (Basic 3–5), we are intentionally investing in the emotional intelligence, discipline, and leadership capacity of the next generation of men.

These widows urgently need more than sympathy. Without swift psychosocial support and economic intervention, their mental health and ability to rebuild their lives will be severely compromised.

We call on concerned individuals and organizations, the Plateau State Government, Federal Government agencies, humanitarian partners, faith-based organisations, donors, and the general public to support comprehensive recovery efforts for these survivors.

This partnership represents a significant milestone in our shared commitment to community-driven development. It will create new opportunities for impactful interventions through joint training programmes, community outreaches, awareness campaigns, and responsive psychosocial support initiatives.

Nigeria faces a mental health crisis of staggering proportions. With an estimated 40–50 million people grappling with mental health challenges, 75–85% receive no treatment. This gap stems from deep stigma, limited access, and a severe shortage of professionals—only about 200–300 psychiatrists serve the entire nation.

True endurance is not superhuman toughness or endless powering through. It is resilient excellence paired with deliberate care for the human cost. It means achieving greatly while refusing to let the price destroy what was built.

In just one year of consistent volunteering, Samuel has achieved remarkable growth:

• Awarded Best Volunteer of the Year 2025.

• Completed the Basic Stress Management Course and received a certificate accredited by the International Association of Therapists (IAOTH) through our COLI Mental Health Academy.

• Completed the Basic Emotional Intelligence Course and earned certification.

• Actively participated in numerous community outreach programs.

• Built valuable networks by meeting influential personalities and mentors.

• Experienced significant improvement in self-awareness, soft skills, emotional regulation, and overall well-being — a transformation noticed and celebrated by many around him.

Elevated screen use correlates with both internalizing problems (anxiety, withdrawal, low self-esteem) and externalizing ones (aggression, hyperactivity, irritability). A vicious cycle may develop, where emotional difficulties prompt more screen use for coping, potentially exacerbating symptoms.

Focus on problem-solving: identify early signs, implement targeted actions, monitor progress, and adjust as needed. The goal is not just symptom relief but restoring balance, protecting your well-being, and sustaining your ability to help others effectively.

Secondary trauma doesn't discriminate by personality or "sensitivity." Anyone facing repeated or intense indirect exposure to trauma is vulnerable. For many, it becomes an occupational hazard rather than a personal failing.

Secondary trauma, also known as secondary traumatic stress (STS) or vicarious trauma, is the emotional and psychological strain that arises from indirect exposure to others’ traumatic experiences

In Nigeria, anxiety can stem from everyday pressures such as academic demands, high family expectations, bullying, abuse, or insecurity. Cultural factors like fears related to supernatural beliefs (witchcraft or juju), living with extended relatives, or serving as house helps can further intensify these worries. While faith and community networks can provide valuable support, stigma around mental health often prevents early recognition and care.

FGM remains illegal and unlawful in Nigeria under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015, which criminalizes the practice with penalties of imprisonment and fines. Despite this clear legal prohibition, the custom persists in many communities due to deeply entrenched cultural beliefs, creating a critical enforcement gap that strongly motivated the Cope and Live Foundation to undertake these focused awareness and support interventions.

“They pour every ounce of love into a child the world doesn’t always understand… and quietly break inside.”

We are proud to lead this life-affirming work, proving that embedding physiotherapy-led movement within broader interventions (dental, TB screening, mental health support) empowers dignity, resilience, and healthy aging.