Heritage Gardens hosts first youth mental health summit in Lagos

“I realised I am not weak for feeling this way”

One 16-year-old attendee shared: “I thought I was the only one who worries at night about school and my family. Hearing other young people talk about panic attacks and sadness made me realise I am not weak for feeling this way.”

Parents and caregivers also had their own parallel sessions, where they could ask questions about how to support teenagers who are withdrawn, angry or struggling with social media pressures.

Building a shared roadmap for support

At the end of the summit, participants worked together to create a simple roadmap for youth mental health in Lagos. Their priorities included:

• Creating safe spaces in schools where students can talk about how they feel.
• Training teachers and youth leaders to recognise when a young person is struggling.
• Ensuring parents have access to information and support, not just children.

The summit is just the beginning. Heritage Gardens will use the insights shared to shape our programmes, including the Mental Health Club and future youth-led events.

We are grateful to every young person and adult who shared their stories with such honesty. Together, we are building a community where it is okay to talk about mental health.