Idimma
Strengthening community systems, to foster mental wellbeing
Who We Are
Idimma is a youth-led mental health not-for-profit organization based in Nigeria. We are working towards bridging the inequality in access to mental health care in Nigeria. We do this by training lay counsellors who carry out interventions within their communities. Our approach also integrates a wholesome approach that factors in social needs like food, shelter, and economic empowerment in addressing access to mental healthcare.
Idimma is affiliated to The Sunshine Series, a social enterprise that provides mental healthcare in grassroots communities. Click here to find out more.
Vision
A world where every individual has access to quality mental health care without barriers.
Mission
To bridge the inequality in access to mental health care by strengthening community systems through the training of lay counselors, creating a strong referral channel for severe mental distress, and providing vocational skills empowerment to persons with psychosocial disabilities.
Our Core Activity
Our core activity is focused on empowering communities with skills to improve their mental wellbeing, with a holistic integration of social and physical needs. This is why we train lay counsellors and psychological first aiders who provide mental health support within their communities. Our goal is to create a society with better listeners and better advocates, a society that is broadly more empathetic and caring for each other’s needs, and is broadly able to heal itself from its trauma.
Lay Counselling Models
TRAIN
We provide training in Lay counselling skills using our carefully designed curriculum that is culturally sensitive and matches global best practices like the WHO MhGap guidelines.
COUNSELLING
We train them in basic counselling skills so they can be empathetic, non-judgmental, active listeners. These counselling skills include; questioning skills, active listening, attending skills, and ethics in counselling.
MENTOR
We provide continuous professional and personal development support to our trained Lay counsellors, to ensure quality assurance and ongoing learning. Through this, we launched the Lay Counselling Network in Nigeria, the first of its kind providing continuous support to Lay counsellors, with support from Mental health professionals in the diaspora.
REFERRAL
Our trained Lay counsellors provide basic screening for common mental disorders like Depression, Anxiety and Stress, and make referrals to specialists for further care if needed.
SCREENING
We train them on using a screening tool for depression, anxiety and stress. This is to identify any warning signs and symptoms, so they can make referral for further diagnosis and treatment.
The Social Care Approach
The Social Care Approach recognizes that poverty and the lack of basic social amenities create significant barriers to accessing and maintaining consistent mental healthcare. Individuals facing economic hardship often struggle to afford treatment and care, leading to a higher risk of relapse. To address this, our projects integrate economic empowerment programs aimed at improving the quality of life for vulnerable groups such as persons with psychosocial/intellectual disabilities, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, and victims of conflict.
By providing economic opportunities, we aim to not only enhance their quality of life but also increase their access to quality mental healthcare. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of socioeconomic factors and mental health, seeking to break the cycle of poverty and improve overall well-being. Through our initiatives, we strive to create lasting social change that empowers individuals and communities to thrive mentally and economically.
Board Members
Aisha Bubah
Founder and Executive Director
Aisha Bubah is a Psychologist and Social entrepreneur with over 10 years of working experience in the mental health sector. Through the Federal Ministry of Health/WHO consortium, she is also a member of the National Technical Working Group tasked with the responsibility of creating a National mental health policy and a Suicide prevention framework for Nigeria. She is also a fellow of the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship and Echoing Green
Chioma Blessing Ani
Chioma Blessing Ani is a seasoned professional dedicated to helping both local and international brands thrive in the digital landscape. With over four years of experience as a certified digital marketer, specializing in crafting compelling content tailored to businesses’ unique needs, Chioma has consistently achieved remarkable results in achieving marketing goals. Currently serving as the media relations specialist for Contemporary Media Group, a prominent digital marketing firm based in the United States, Chioma plays a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections between brands and their target audiences.
Timi Onafeso
Timi Onafeso is a public health and social innovation professional with 12+ years of experience working on education, nonprofit management, youth development, and health programs across West Africa and Southeast Asia.
She is passionate about empowering young professionals to drive innovation, enterprise, and development in rural and urban communities, thus helping them to function effectively at the intersection of passion, purpose and impact.
Upcoming trainings and events
Apply for a Scholarship for our Lay Counselling Skills Training
Are you a social change maker working towards improving the lives of underserved persons? Does your approach provide holistic support that factors in mental health? Do you want to be able to provide psychosocial support to your beneficiaries? Apply for this scholarship worth $109 per participant.
Idimma, a mental health organization in Nigeria is offering a 5-day virtual training on Lay counselling skills. You also stand the chance to join our Lay counsellors network which currently has over 40 members and provides opportunities for mentoring, further learning and networking with fellow Lay counsellors. Certificates of participation will be awarded to successful participants.
Click here to register and submit your application.