68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

Orunsii Welcare Foundation
…to the world

Dr. Sojinrin Mobolaji Olumide
Program Coordinator

 

 

The Foundation recently gained global attention by participating in a significant conference held at the United Nations. At CSW68, governments, civil society organizations, experts and activists from across the world came together to agree on actions and investments that can end women’s poverty and advance gender equality.

During the conference, the Foundation had an opportunity to present itself and the work that it had been doing. It also highlighted the crucial issues related to mental well-being, particularly among underprivileged communities. Here are the key highlights of the presentation.

Who Are We?

Orunsii Welcare Foundation, meaning “Open Heavens” in Yoruba, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting health awareness through advocacy, education, training, and support. With a vision to inspire happiness and stability in health conditions, the foundation focuses on various aspects of health promotion, including mental health, elderly care, and environmental sustainability. Our focus area include:

• Awareness Programs on Mental Health
• Care & Health Promotion for the Elderly,
• Promote Environmental Health and its sustainability.
• Support for Paediatric Surgical Cases

Where we operate

AFRICA
• Population; over 1.4 billion
• World’s 2nd largest continent
• World’s 2nd most populous continent

NIGERIA
World’s 6th most populous nation
Most populous black nation
25% of Africans are Nigerians

LAGOS
• Africa’s most populous city (Megacity)
• Population of over 21 million (New York population approx. 18million)
• Average annual growth rate of 3.2%, estimated > 30 million by 2025 (Saifadin Galal et al)

MHADE IN LAGOS

Covid-19 has been a game changer, leading to an increase in mental health issues such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse.

MHADE IN LAGOS
Mental
Health
Awareness,
Destigmatization
Enlightenment.

Objective: Mental Health Awareness, Destigmatization, and Enlightenment.
Theme: “NO HEALTH WITHOUT MENTAL HEALTH”.
Date: April 2021.
Location: Alimosho LGA, which constitutes about 15% of the State Population (approximately 3 million people) and is known for its diversity.
Focus: Understanding the community’s knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs regarding mental health.

Results from our survey showed similarities in PBA from what was obtained from similar surveys in Middle East and Asia,
• Relationships
• Work
• School
• Supernatural/spiritual/Religious role to mental illness
• Hide the information from relatives and friends
• Delay seeking medical care
• Availability of care

In United Kingdom, and North America (USA and Canada),MHI is more readily accepted as a common ailment with people able to self diagnose, even though there is still a stigma towards people with MH challenges

Level of education and awareness of mental health is very poor and plays a significant role in care seeking and acceptability

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Date: October 10, 2021,
Venue: Ireti Senior Secondary school, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Focus: Promoting Mental Health Awareness in Educational Institutions
Donation: Learning aids, Equipment etc.
Creation of “ORUNSII TEENS CLUB”

ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN

DRAMA/ROLE PLAY, SPORTS & DANCE/MUSICAL
Date: May, 2022,
Theme: “SAY NO TO BULLYING”
Venue: Campos Stadium, Lagos Island.
Activity: Lectures, Musical, Sports, Drama, & role play
Attendees: 1,200 Students across 38 Secondary Schools

ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN 2.0

PROMOTING ANTIBULLYING THROUGH ART
Date: September 2022
Venue: Ireti Senior Secondary school, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Theme: Promoting Antibullying Through Art
Participants: ORUNSII TEENS Club (60 Students)
Outcome: Increased awareness and student membership

The Future

  • Mental Health Awareness and Education in Schools : Establish ORUNSII TEEN’S CLUB in 20 Schools per district 120 Schools. 
  • Awareness and Advocacy programs on Mental Health
  • Health Promotion and Education for the elderly in Communities
  • Advocacy on Environmental Health in Communities
  •  Support for Surgical Pediatric Patients
  • TRAININGS: Periodic Webinars, Trainings and Seminars
  • Change in attitude and health seeking behaviors of people with Menta
  • Health Challenges through awareness campaigns; social media; radio, television and community outreaches
  • Reduce the stigma through education and advocacy
    Improve the knowledge and understanding of Mental Health amongst students
  • Encourage healthy lifestyle among the elderly
  • Provide financial support to 70% of children in need of surgical intervention
  • Protect and create a cleaner and healthier environment through awareness campaigns; distribution of leaflets, campaigns in schools and communities