The narrative around the taboo of mental health discourse is slowing changing in favour of open conversations around it with more mental health stakeholders and advocates pushing its discourse both in the mainstream media and through social as well as the new media. The battle against the stigmatization of the mentally challenged can only be won when their challenges and daily tribulations are made known to the generality of the largely ignorant public.

One such mental health stakeholder who is shaping positive discussions around the neglected issue of mental health is Dr. Adewoye Adedolapo Adetoun, a psychologist who believes in the power of talk therapy to tackle headlong mental health challenges and a drastic reduction in the rate of suicide.

She is the brain behind Prontotherapy which is a mental health firm with specialisation on The Mind, Self Awareness/Personal Development and Relationships. She was motivated by the innate desire to help people stay sane in this economically battered economy where the sanity of the man on the street can be greatly tested as there is the absence of a welfare state and the family unit which used to be a sturdy economic buffer is now seriously under threat as a result of the changing times where it is no longer as strong financially as it used to be in the days of yore.

She also runs Eyinju Foundation. In an exclusive interview in Guardian she tells us more about her NGO and is quoted to have said: At Eyinju Foundation, we sensitise young adults between the ages of 7-19years on Puberty, Talent discovery, Opposite Attraction, Self Love, Abuse of all kinds, Rape Prevention, Thriving in a negative environment and Emotional Intelligence. A lot of parents focus on book, but refuse to understand that every child needs to have IQ, EQ and SQ (Intelligent Quotient, Emotional Quotient and Social Quotient). If it’s not at par or balanced, then there is already a problem somewhere, which will definitely affect the society sooner or later. Also, the Feed The Destitute is just a bonus initiative we inculcated into the Eyinju Foundation.

She also runs a successful travels and tourism, Behind Travels And Tours. The YALI network and American Psychology Association member, who has certifications in different courses.

In a society largely characterized by the strength of one’s social capital to climb the ladder of success, she has proven that with the Grace of God, hardwork and love for humanity one can still climb great heights and live a fulfilled life without necessarily cutting corners and getting involved in criminal activities which has tragically put Nigeria in the news for the wrong reasons.

She has gone ahead to train over 300,000 youths in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya which is phenomenal for a lady her age.

Hear her again: With Eyinju, my inner caucus, which consists of some destiny and purpose supporting friends, has been able to gather funds to sponsor about 36 SMEs, paid for WAEC for 63 Students and Common Entrance Exam for 12 Students. We have also been able to single-handedly pay for 18 people who needed training on sewing, catering and make-up.

We are still sticking with our WAEC and Common Entrance Fees Payment for 20 students and Feed The Destitute (Bi-monthly). A new project we recently took on is Pad Up A Girl and the reason I want to do this is because I realise that in 2022, some students still don’t have money for sanitary pad and make use of tissue or cloth during menstruation, which is so dangerous to their health. Some don’t even have an idea of what menstrual hygiene means. I believe God will show up as usual, because it is capital intensive and a few people I spoke to are already interested.

We are glad that Dr. Adetoun is not only a mental health advocate by virtue of her professional training and calling, she is also a change maker whose footprints are being surreptitiously left in the sands of time as she is highly legacy conscious.

A big thumbs up to Dr. Adetoun!

SOURCE: https://africavoiceshq.com/2022/07/11/big-thumbs-up-dr-adetoun-by-tony-ademiluyi/