Asido Foundation, a leading mental health advocacy organization in Nigeria, has received the prestigious Innovative Research, Training, or Practice in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) Award at the 6th Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) Awards 2024, which took place in the United Kingdom.
The ACAMH Awards recognise exceptional contributions to child and adolescent mental health worldwide. Asido Foundation shared the award with the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India.
Asido Foundation was honoured for its groundbreaking approach to mental health education and service delivery, making a significant impact across Nigerian communities. Dr. Soumitra Datta, ACAMH International Officer, praised Asido’s remarkable success in promoting mental health literacy and well-being, particularly among children and adolescents.
Over the past five years, Asido Foundation has led impactful initiatives, including advocacy for the Mental Health Bill, training over 600 individuals in Psychological First Aid, and engaging with over 200 communities, reaching more than 300,000 people. Its multi-layered approach includes student-led networks, adolescent boot camps, and awareness campaigns.
Dr. Jibril Abdumalik, Asido Foundation’s CEO and Founder, accepted the award, emphasizing the organization’s mission to break down barriers preventing people from seeking help.
“This is a truly special honour and privilege. We recognise that our greatest challenges are ignorance, shame, and stigma which stand as barriers that prevent people from seeking help.
“Many young people suffer in silence, hidden away due to these misconceptions. Our mission is to break down these barriers so children and adolescents can access the care they need without shame or stigma.
“We view this recognition as a call to action, and we are deeply committed to doing even more in the future to support mental health in our communities.”
Asido Foundation’s commitment to making a lasting impact on mental health in Nigeria has been reinforced by this latest accolade. Future initiatives will focus on integrating mental health into primary healthcare systems and addressing women’s mental health needs.
Meka Niyi Olowola, Asido Foundation’s Chairman, also expressed delight at the global recognition.
“Being recognised by ACAMH, a globally respected organisation, is a tremendous honour and a testament to our dedication to mental health advocacy in Nigeria.
“This award reinforces our vision to dismantle stigma, empower communities, and expand access to mental health resources for children and adolescents. It represents a crucial milestone in our journey toward a mentally resilient society.”
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