Anambra First Lady Dr Nonye Soludo Advocates for Mental Health

Dr Nonye Soludo, the First Lady of Anambra State, called for intensified efforts to eliminate mental health stigma in Nigeria. In a statement issued in Awka on October 10, 2026, to mark World Mental Health Day, she highlighted the silent suffering of many individuals facing emotional and psychological distress.

Soludo emphasized the necessity of creating supportive environments for open discussions about mental health, encouraging families, schools, workplaces, and communities to recognize seeking professional help as a positive step. She outlined five principles of positive youth development: competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring, which are essential for helping young people build skills, self-confidence, and empathy.

Soludo stressed the importance of promoting a society that encourages seeking professional assistance rather than condemning it, aiming to eliminate discrimination against those experiencing mental health difficulties.