Female Adolescent Mental Health Project (FAMHP)

On October 11th, 2023, the International Day of the Girl Child, our team at MENTHALI visited LAUTECH International College, Ogbomoso to celebrate, educate, and empower their female students. What unfolded that day became one of the most memorable chapters in our work with adolescents—an experience filled with learning, honest conversations, and moments of heartfelt vulnerability.

The engagement was anchored on the vision of the Female Adolescent Mental Health Project (FAMHP). This project recognizes that adolescence is a defining stage for every girl—a season of rapid growth, identity formation, emotional shifts, and, at times, deep vulnerability. FAMHP was created to provide young girls with the support, tools, and knowledge they need to navigate this phase with clarity and strength, especially through school-based engagement.

To guide this mission, we held an interactive session that covered four crucial areas affecting the mental well-being of young girls:

* Mental Health and Identity

* Sexual and Reproductive Health

* Body Image and Body Shaming

* Bullying

From the very beginning, the girls were attentive and eager to learn. As the conversations deepened, they began to open up—asking questions, seeking clarity, and expressing thoughts they had previously kept to themselves. The environment quickly became a safe space, allowing them to speak freely, share their experiences, and participate actively.

It was a beautiful and affirming experience—one where knowledge met empathy, and learning met self-discovery. Many of the girls found the courage to voice their concerns, while others discovered new perspectives about themselves and their bodies.

Guided by the theme of the International Day of the Girl Child “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being”, we emphasized a vital truth: leadership begins with self-awareness. In a world where society constantly defines who a girl should be, understanding one’s identity and building emotional resilience becomes the foundation of healthy leadership.

We were privileged to engage 250 young girls, helping them see that everything truly starts with them—their minds, their confidence, and their sense of self-worth. Without emotional strength and resilience, leadership can become overwhelming; but with it, girls can rise, lead, and thrive.

The FAMHP project continues to reflect our commitment at MENTHALI: to support, educate, and empower female adolescents as they grow into strong, emotionally grounded young women.