We work with individuals, families and communities to improve mental health awareness, wellbeing, resilience, education and access to appropriate support.
STOP MENTAL ILLNESS FOUNDATION (SMIF) is a non-profit organisation advocating good mental health, preventing risk factors, providing treatment and therapy, and educating youths and older adults in Nigeria and beyond.
SMIF promotes social change and the empowerment of people with mental illness to enhance well-being. Our work is grounded in dignity, confidentiality, and acceptance. We assess social and emotional issues that influence mental health and introduce interventions at multiple levels.
Over the years, SMIF has provided knowledge, information, and resources that help communities identify mental illness symptoms, adopt preventive and management techniques, and make informed decisions. We plan to establish community hubs for access to mental health professionals and community wellbeing hubs and recreational spaces that encourage social connection, recreation, learning, wellbeing activities and access to appropriate mental health information and support.
To contribute to a Nigeria where people and communities can access culturally responsive mental health information, support and opportunities to thrive, free from stigma and discrimination.
Our mission is to improve mental wellbeing through awareness, education, community engagement, empowerment, research, advocacy and partnership, with particular attention to underserved and underrepresented communities.
Supporting SMIF helps strengthen mental health awareness, restore dignity, encourage recovery and create opportunities for people and communities to thrive.
Every individual deserves to live with dignity and purpose. Many people living with mental illness face discrimination, isolation, and loss of self-worth. Through therapy, education, and community support, SMIF helps restore confidence and hope — empowering people to rediscover their value and live meaningful lives.
Lack of knowledge about mental health often leads to late diagnosis and worsening conditions. SMIF is committed to spreading awareness, identifying early symptoms, and providing access to the right care and counselling. Early intervention saves lives and promotes lasting well-being.
Beyond treatment, true healing includes empowerment. SMIF equips beneficiaries with life skills, vocational training, and community mentorship to help them achieve independence. By supporting SMIF, you help individuals rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.
We deliver practical, evidence-informed programmes designed to improve mental wellbeing, reduce stigma, strengthen resilience and increase access to appropriate support.
One-on-one counselling, therapy and treatment, including family support and recovery planning.
Learn moreSchool and community programmes on prevention, symptom recognition and help-seeking pathways.
Learn moreDaily awareness campaigns via radio, TV and social media to fight stigma and share coping strategies.
Learn moreMentorship and skills programmes to restore purpose, belonging and independent living.
Learn moreImmediate support, recovery accompaniment and safe community reintegration.
Learn morePlanned hubs and recreational centres—spaces to meet professionals and strengthen daily brain function.
Learn moreContent creation, staff/volunteer training and workplace mental health awareness for employers.
Learn moreNo-cost skills training for treated and diagnosed beneficiaries to support economic independence.
Learn moreMental health is influenced by genetics and by social, economic and physical environments. SMIF’s work addresses these determinants through prevention, care and empowerment.
Understand the challenges affecting people and communities.
Use appropriate evidence and statistics to understand context.
Identify barriers to information, care, support and recovery.
Connect prevention, care, education, empowerment and partnerships.
SMIF is structured to deliver public value through programmes, partnerships and responsible resource mobilisation. Our sustainability model is designed to support continuity of impact while keeping beneficiary needs at the centre.
Non-profit organisations exist to deliver public value rather than private gain. Charities and service organisations may also operate compliant revenue-generating activities that help sustain programmes and social impact.
SMIF builds trusted relationships with donors, sponsors and partners. Skills acquisition programmes are designed to be free of charge for treated beneficiaries, subject to programme eligibility and available resources.
SMIF pursues grants, donations, exhibitions, events, volunteers and interns while continuously improving operational efficiency. The organisation aims to expand its reach across Nigeria and beyond as resources and partnerships allow.
Structure each case study as Challenge → SMIF intervention → Participant experience → Outcome/change → Learning, using appropriate consent and anonymisation.
Describe the challenge faced by the participant or community.
Intervention → Outcome → LearningShare experiences respectfully, with consent and anonymisation.
Intervention → Change → LearningHighlight meaningful change without overstating what evidence supports.
Outcome → Learning → Next stepExplore practical, community-focused articles from SMIF on mental health awareness, early support, resilience and the importance of creating caring environments where people can seek help without fear or shame.
Open, respectful conversations can help reduce shame and make it easier for people to express how they are feeling. When mental health becomes part of everyday conversation, individuals and families are better positioned to recognise concerns, seek appropriate support and encourage one another.
Read articleChanges in behaviour, mood, relationships, sleep, daily routines or the ability to cope can sometimes signal that a person needs additional support. Listening without judgement, encouraging professional help where appropriate and staying connected can make a meaningful difference.
Read articleHealthy communities create space for connection, learning, inclusion and support. Schools, families, workplaces, faith groups and community organisations can all contribute by reducing stigma, sharing reliable information and helping people access appropriate services and opportunities.
Read articleExplore awareness activities, community engagement, training, advocacy and other SMIF activities. On desktop, three videos are presented per row; on mobile, videos stack one per row.
Moments from community engagement, awareness, learning, outreach and wellbeing activities. Replace the sample images below with appropriately consented SMIF photographs and add captions where available.
SMIF welcomes trusts and foundations, corporate partners, local authorities, universities, health and social care organisations, community organisations and philanthropic donors.
View resources Partnership contactApproved and publishable organisational documents can be added here as they become available.
SMIF Global connects the UK and Nigeria presence while keeping each legal entity’s governance, banking, registration and contact details separate and accurate.
Mental health support becomes more meaningful when people and communities can access awareness, education, recovery support, skills development and appropriate referral pathways. Your donation helps SMIF continue this work and create opportunities for people to live with dignity, hope and purpose.
Every contribution matters. Whether you give a little or a lot, your support can help strengthen community-based mental health initiatives and extend the reach of SMIF's programmes.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental-health difficulties or crisis, reach out for information, support and appropriate referral pathways.
Founder, CEO & Chairperson — 9+ years in non-profit leadership
Need support, want to partner with SMIF, or have a question? Reach out to the Foundation.
