As part of activities marking the 2025 World Mental Health Day, the Ruby Awareness Initiative Foundation (RAIF) organized a school outreach programme at Holywood International School, Asaba, centred on the global theme: “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”
The event, held in collaboration with the Mental Health Department, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, featured lectures, drama sketches, and interactive sessions designed to educate students on protecting their mental health, avoiding drug abuse, and making positive life choices.
Addressing the students, Mrs. Omonigho Oborevwori, Founder of RAIF, urged them to guard their minds, resist peer pressure, and embrace healthy coping strategies for stress.
“Each of you has something powerful within you — your mind. When you protect your mind, you protect your future,” she said.
“Drugs do not take away problems; they only create new ones. They steal dreams, destroy health, and silence potential.”
Mrs. Oborevwori, a humanitarian and child development advocate, explained that RAIF’s focus on mental health awareness aligns with its mission to nurture emotionally strong, confident, and purpose-driven young people.
As part of her presentation, she donated Ruby Journals and e-learning gadgets to students, encouraging them to use the journals as safe spaces to express their thoughts, dreams, and emotions, a practice she described as “a simple but powerful way of caring for the mind.”
“Sometimes writing can help you understand what your heart is trying to say,” she advised.
Earlier in her remarks, Miss Elizabeth Ide, RAIF’s Programmes Coordinator, reiterated the Foundation’s vision to empower underprivileged children and teenagers, particularly the boy child, through education, mental health awareness, and skill development.
“Our goal is to break the cycles of poverty by nurturing resilience, fostering leadership, and creating equitable pathways for lifelong success,” she said.
“We believe that empowering young minds, especially the boy child — is key to building stable families, peaceful communities, and a stronger society.”
The highlight of the outreach was a lecture by Dr. Adaigho Israel, Consultant Mental Health Physician and Head of Department, Mental Health, FMC Asaba, who also serves as Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Delta State Branch.
He spoke on the causes and consequences of drug abuse among youths.
Other facilitators included Mrs. Patience Okolie and Mrs. Loreen Orishedere, who shared insights on emotional resilience, peer influence, and early intervention in mental health crises.
The programme concluded with a “Say No to Drug Abuse” pledge, a drama presentation by students, and a collective prayer for the wellbeing and bright future of Nigerian children.
The initiative drew enthusiastic commendation from the students and staff, who lauded the Foundation for bringing mental health education directly to their school, describing the outreach as “timely, inspiring, and life-changing
