Foundation Trains Nurses and Expectant Mothers on Mental Health Empowerment in Enugu

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The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation (CALMHAF) has equipped 25 nurses and expectant mothers with critical knowledge to manage mental health challenges, aimed at fostering resilience and improved wellbeing.

Speaking during the training at Ozalla Health Centre near Enugu, Executive Director of CALMHAF, Rev. Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, said the programme was designed to promote holistic mental health and positive social change.

“The participants have fully understood what poor mental health is, its signs, symptoms, and impact, as well as having a foundation for recognising and addressing it in both personal and professional contexts,” Nwachukwu explained.

He added that the training, under CALMHAF’s Support for Carers Initiative (SCGI) and Mother-to-Mother Initiative (MTMI), provided a safe and inclusive environment for open discussions. “Participants explored specific triggers of mental distress, gaining insights into factors affecting mental well-being, particularly for carers and expectant mothers. A detailed discussion on various mental illnesses helped demystify misconceptions, highlighting their prevalence and effects on individuals and communities.

Nwachukwu further noted that the programme examined how family dynamics, domestic pressures, excessive screen time, and negative emotions affect mental wellbeing. “The training provided key solutions focused on bouncing back from mental health challenges, fostering hope, the critical importance of seeking help, prioritising self-care, building resilience, and creating supportive networks to navigate life’s challenges.”

Participants were also introduced to world-standard instruments for assessing depression and anxiety levels. Sharing her experience, an expectant mother, Mrs. Gloria Nwafor, said: “After the training today, I will definitely reduce my screen time and prioritise quality time with members of my family, thereby fostering stronger emotional connections and improving my family members’ mental wellbeing.”

Another participant, nurse Mrs. Judith Izuchukwu, highlighted the benefits of the programme. “I have learnt a lot about emotional intelligence and how to build mental resilience, which has equipped me to support my patients and care for my own wellbeing,” she said.

Health experts have consistently stressed the importance of addressing maternal mental health, with studies showing that between 10 and 15 per cent of new mothers in developing countries suffer postpartum depression, caused by a mix of hormonal, psychological, and social factors

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