Are you looking for mental health NGOs in Nigeria? Then this post is for you.
Whether you are seeking support for yourself, looking for organisations you can volunteer with, or simply wanting to know more about the mental health landscape in Nigeria, I have put together a comprehensive list to help you.
There are more registered mental health NGOs in Nigeria than those listed here, but I intentionally focused on the ones that are verifiably active and making real impact.
This list was last updated in 2026, so you can trust that what you are reading is current.
12 Active Mental Health NGOs in Nigeria
I have divided these mental health NGOs into categories simply to make it easier for you to navigate the list. This does not mean that the NGOs listed under a particular category only focus on that one area. Most of them do much more than what is highlighted here.
Mental Health NGOs in Nigeria Focused on Youth
1. Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI)
Founded by Dr. Victor Ugo in 2015 and officially launched in June 2016, MANI is arguably the most well-known mental health NGO in Nigeria and for good reason. It is the largest youth-run and youth-focused mental health organisation in West Africa, with over 1,500 active volunteers across 18 states in Nigeria.
MANI focuses on creating awareness about mental health and mental illness, particularly among young people. They offer counselling support services, crisis support, mental health training in schools and workplaces, and run conversation cafes across multiple states. They have provided direct support to over 70,000 people, the majority of whom are between the ages of 18 and 25.
If you are a young person struggling with your mental health or you simply want to get involved as a volunteer, MANI is one of the best places to start.
Visit their website: mentallyaware.org
2. Stilt Mental Health Initiative (Stilt NG)
Founded by Elizabeth Ita in 2019, Stilt NG is a youth-led non-profit working to transform how mental health is understood and supported across Nigeria. Based in Calabar, their work spans classrooms, communities and national policy conversations.
They are known for their school-based, outreaches which have reached thousands of children across south-eastern Nigeria, their peer support groups and their mental health literacy campaigns. Beyond awareness, Stilt NG also contributes to policy advocacy, including pushing for the decriminalisation of attempted suicide in Nigeria, which remains one of the most important mental health policy battles in the country today.
If you are a young person looking for a community-driven organisation to volunteer with or seek support from, Stilt NG is one of the most relatable and accessible organisations on this list.
Visit their website: stilt.ng
3. Mind Innovation and Health Reform Africa (MIHRA)
Mihra was launched in 2024 by Wellcore Health Initiative, a non-profit registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria. MIHRA was created specifically to close the gap in accessing mental healthcare among university students and African youth. As one of the newer organisations on this list, MIHRA focuses on creating safe spaces and support groups where young Africans can access mental health support in environments they are already part of, which are their universities and communities.
Their work is particularly timely given how little attention is paid to the mental health of university students in Nigeria, a population that faces enormous pressure from academic stress, financial hardship and an uncertain future.
If you are a university student struggling with your mental health or know someone who is, MIHRA is worth reaching out to.
Visit their website: mihrafrica.com
4. Psychebabble Foundation
Founded by Sandra Anyahaébi, Psychebabble Foundation is a youth-led non-profit dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma and promoting mental health for all, with a particular focus on young people. What makes Psychebabble stand out is how practical and accessible their services are. They offer free one-on-one counselling, which has reached over 3,000 individuals, “How Far” support groups facilitated by licensed mental health professionals, and a mentorship programme for young psychology graduates and undergraduates through their Psychebabble Foundation Fellowship.
To date, they have reached over 70,000 people through their media campaigns and community engagements, a remarkable number for a youth-led organisation.
If you are a young person looking for free counselling, a support group or mentorship opportunities in mental health, Psychebabble Foundation is one of the most accessible and practical options on this list.
Visit their website: psychebabblefoundation.com
Mental Health NGOs in Nigeria Focused on Policy and Advocacy
5. Nigerian Mental Health (NMH)
Founded in 2019 by Chime Asonye, Nigerian Mental Health is a global community of mental health practitioners and organisations actively working to improve mental health policy and psychosocial wellbeing in Nigeria. They currently have over 30 mental health organisations as members and connect people both within Nigeria and in the diaspora.
NMH focuses heavily on policy reform, pushing for legislation that ensures people in crisis get the right help, advocating at the state and national levels, and using lived experience to shape how Nigeria responds to mental illness. They also support counsellor training and data-driven mental health programming.
If your organisation is working in the mental health space in Nigeria and you are looking to connect with a wider network of like-minded organisations to drive systemic change, NMH is definitely worth reaching out to.
Visit their website: nigerianmentalhealth.org
6. Asido Foundation
The Asido Foundation is a non-profit mental health advocacy organisation focused on providing evidence-based information, advocacy efforts and interventions that contribute towards addressing the mental health needs of Nigerians.
They envision a Nigeria where every person enjoys optimal mental health regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, religion or ethnicity. Their work centres on awareness, support and empowerment initiatives designed to drive mental health resilience and systems change across communities.
If your organisation or initiative aligns with mental health advocacy and reform in Nigeria, Asido Foundation is worth connecting with.
Visit their website: asidofoundation.com
7. Gede Foundation
Founded in 2002 by Dr. Jennifer Douglas-Abubakar, Gede Foundation is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most established mental health organisations. Based in Abuja, they work with underserved and stigmatised populations to achieve long-term positive change through high-quality research, strategic partnerships and advocacy.
Their mental health work spans across the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue states. They are particularly known for training healthcare workers on mental health through the WHO’s Mental Health Action Programme, working with government agencies on policy and conducting research into the links between mental illness and other health conditions like HIV. They have also trained Mental Health Champions, survivors of mental illness, who go into communities to share their stories and reduce stigma.
If you are a healthcare professional, researcher or organisation looking to collaborate on community mental health work in Nigeria, Gede Foundation is a strong partner to connect with.
Visit their website: gedefoundation.com
Looking for a mental health service provider in Nigeria? Check out our directory
Mental Health NGOs in Nigeria Focused on Community Support
8. Neem Foundation
Neem Foundation is a non-profit organisation doing particularly important work in Northern Nigeria. Their work focuses on helping communities that have experienced the psychological impact of violence, displacement and loss, populations that are often completely overlooked in mainstream mental health conversations.
They provide trauma-informed support, community-based mental health interventions and work to build resilience in some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable communities. If you are interested in grassroots community mental health work, especially in conflict-affected areas, Neem Foundation is doing work that truly matters.
Visit their website: neem.global
9. Idimma
Idimma, founded by Aisha Bubah, is a non-profit organisation taking a community systems approach to mental health. Idimma believes that when communities are empowered with the right tools and knowledge, they can play an active role in improving their own mental well-being.
One of their key programmes is lay counselling, training everyday people within communities to identify early warning signs of mental health issues, provide basic support and refer severe cases to specialists. This is a particularly powerful model for Nigeria, where there are very few psychiatrists attending to a population of over 200 million people.
If you are passionate about community driven mental health solutions, Idimma is an organisation worth supporting or volunteering with.
Visit their website: idimma.org
10. Amaudo Itumbauzo — Integrated Community Mental Health Foundation
Founded in 1989 by Rosalind Colwill in response to the growing number of mentally ill people roaming the streets of south-eastern Nigeria, Amaudo Itumbauzo is one of the oldest mental health organisations in Nigeria and arguably one of the most impactful. The name “Amaudo” means Village of Peace in the Igbo language, and that is exactly what they have built.
Their work spans residential rehabilitation, community mental health programmes and mental health training for nurses and healthcare workers across Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and other south-eastern states. Their Community Mental Health Programme now operates across more than 70 clinics in four states, providing affordable and accessible care to thousands of Nigerians who would otherwise have nowhere to turn. They have rehabilitated and reintegrated over 930 people who were homeless and severely mentally ill back into their families and communities, a number that speaks for itself.
If you are a healthcare professional, nursing student or organisation interested in community-based mental health work in south-eastern Nigeria, Amaudo is one of the most established partners you could connect with.
Visit their website: amaudo.org
Mental Health NGOs in Nigeria Focused on Crisis and Suicide Prevention
11. She Writes Woman
Founded by Hauwa Ojeifo, She Writes Woman is one of the most impactful mental health organisations in Nigeria. Despite being woman-led, their services are open to everyone. They launched Nigeria’s first privately held 24-hour mental health helpline in 2016 and have since expanded their services significantly.
They run Safe Place, a support group where people can meet, share their experiences and access mental health support in a safe, non-judgmental environment. They have also partnered with Airtel Nigeria to establish walk-in mental health clinics for young people. Their helpline alone has received thousands of messages from people in crisis across Nigeria.
If you or someone you know needs immediate mental health support, She Writes Woman’s 24-hour helpline is one of the most accessible options in Nigeria right now.
Visit their website: shewriteswoman.org
12. Anti-Suicide and Depression Squad (ASADS)
Founded in 2018, ASADS is a non-profit mental health organisation based in Lagos with a specific focus on depression and suicide prevention. They work to educate and raise awareness about mental health across Nigeria through awareness programmes, training, community outreach and free on-site therapy sessions.
Every year, they mobilise mental health professionals and trained volunteers to rural communities, universities, secondary schools and religious institutions across the country to provide basic mental health education. They also run support groups and safe spaces where people can openly share their experiences and receive support without judgment.
If you are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, or simply want to get involved as a volunteer, ASADS is very open to both.
Visit their website: asads.com.ng
Conclusion
And there you have it, a list of some of the most active mental health NGOs in Nigeria right now. It is worth saying again that this is not an exhaustive list. There are more mental health organisations doing quiet but important work across Nigeria, and we will continue to update this post as we discover them.
The mental health NGOs in Nigeria featured here stood out because of how visible and consistent they are with the work they do, whether that is showing up in communities, running support groups, pushing for policy change or simply making sure that Nigerians know they are not alone in whatever they are going through.
Looking for mental health support right now? Visit our resource page to find help near you.
Author: Chinasa Lovlyn Nwachukwu is a mental health coach and writer passionate about raising awareness across Africa.
