" Every year, around 11 people per 100, 000 die by suicide in Africa, higher than the global average of 9 per 100,000 people. Africa is home to 6 of the 10 countries with the highest suicide rates worldwide"
World Health Organization, 2022
The Mind Wheel Project
112- The Largest Suicide Prevention Helpline in Africa
At the beginning of the COVID-19 PANDEMIC, we leveraged technology and started a COVID-19 response project called The Mind Wheel, which offered free online counseling and psychosocial support to persons struggling with their mental health and frontline workers.
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We have not only catered for the Psychosocial needs of help-seekers from different states within and outside Nigeria, but we also built a team of over 40 volunteers, providing access to mental health support for underserved communities.
On 11th May, 2021, The Mind Wheel project launched the largest mental health helpline in Africa on Nigeria's national emergency number 112, in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria. The helpline is currently piloting in the FCT, offering free 24/7 counselling support to residents, with no call credit costs. We are working towards expanding the helpline to other states in the country.
The launch of the largest mental helpline in Africa on Nigeria’s emergency line 112 from L-R Rep of the IG of Police, Rep of Chairman, NDLEA, Hon. Minister of SDIA, Founder of The Sunshine Series, Nollywood Actress Jamila
OBJECTIVES OF THE wheel project
The 3 Core Activities of The Mind Wheel Project
The Mind Wheel Project is our first social impact project, aimed at bridging the access to mental health care in Nigeria and reaching underserved persons.
1
Run the Largest Mental Helpline in Africa
Launched to mitigate the mental health impact of the COVID19, we provide 24/7 free counselling and suicide prevention support on the national emergency number 112.
2
Capacity Building
Nigeria, a country with over 200 million people has only around 200 psychiatrists, less than 1000 psychologists and, an equally low number of other mental health professionals. We train Lay counselors who provide mental health support in grassroots communities, and make referrals for severe cases.
3
Research/ Advocacy/ Policy
By leveraging Research and Advocacy, we influence policy and quality control on mental health and service delivery. We support the Federal Ministry of Health, as part of the National Mental Health Technical Working Group to develop policies and implementation road map for mental health and suicide prevention across Nigeria.