At Nigerian Mental Health Practitioners USA Inc. (NMHPUSA), we are passionate about empowering healthcare providers in Nigeria through comprehensive training programs. We offer a variety of specialized training programs, beginning with our Train-the-Trainer program, which equips local professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to address the mental health challenges in their communities. By providing this training, we seek to ensure that Nigeria has the trained manpower that it needs to develop its mental health sector better.
In May 2025, working with the Nigeria-American Institute for Mental Health, we completed a five-day in-person training for community health workers, modeled after the World Health Organization’s mh-GAP Action program. This program targeted primary health care workers, comprising mostly of community health officers and community health extension workers. The goal was to train the workers to be able to identify, manage or refer common priority mental illnesses to other professionals. Depression, anxiety, epilepsy, and substance use disorders were among the conditions covered by the training.
The Nigerian Mental Health Practitioners USA, Inc. (NMHPUSA) is dedicated to assisting with the improvement of behavioral and mental health care in Nigeria. What makes the NMHPUSA unique is that it is, arguably, the first United States-based nonprofit organization, with a 501(c)(3) charity status, to devote its resources to the development of mental health care in Nigeria.
Through the mental health medication distribution program, we are not just providing medications, we are offering hope to individuals and families who have long struggled with the devastating effects of untreated mental illness. The program targets areas where access to psychiatric care is most limited, making a significant impact on communities that have been historically underserved. By partnering with local healthcare providers and government departments we ensure that these medications reach the people who need them most, helping to reduce the burden of mental illness across the country.
This program is designed to create a sustainable model for mental healthcare in Nigeria, where trained professionals can continue to train and educate others long after the initial training is
complete. The goal is to establish a network of knowledgeable and compassionate providers who can deliver high-quality mental health services throughout the country. Through this initiative, we are laying the groundwork for a future where mental health care is more accessible and effective for all Nigerians.
By investing in the education and development of local healthcare providers, we are ensuring that the changes we are seeking to bring to Nigeria’s mental health sector are lasting and meaningful. By training these professionals, we are creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the initial participants, as they go on to educate others and deliver care to those in need.
Our approach in the Train-the-Trainer Program is comprehensive, covering a wide range of topics essential for effective mental healthcare, including diagnosis, treatment, and patient support. The program is designed to
be culturally sensitive and contextually relevant, ensuring that the training is applicable to the specific challenges faced in Nigeria. By equipping local providers with these skills, we are helping to build a network of professionals who can deliver high-quality care and improve the overall mental health landscape in the country.
The impact of the Train-the-Trainer Program is profound, as it not only increases the number of qualified mental health professionals in Nigeria but also enhances the quality of care available. Each participant
leaves the program with the tools they need to make a meaningful difference in their communities, helping to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and improve access to care. We are dedicated to expanding this program and continuing to support the development of a robust mental healthcare system in Nigeria.
If you’re passionate about improving mental healthcare in Nigeria, consider supporting this program through donations or by spreading the word about our work.
The Nigerian Mental Health Practitioners USA Inc and its Nigerian arm, the Nigeria-American Institute for Mental Health are dedicated to improving mental healthcare in Nigeria through innovative programs and initiatives
that make a real impact. We are committed to building partnerships with individuals, organizations and government departments at all levels to achieve this goal.
Our Train-the-Trainer and other programs seek to equip local healthcare providers with the skills needed to deliver quality mental health services. Our primary focus is the integration of mental healthcare
into the primary healthcare system in Nigeria.
We actively work to break down the barriers of stigma, ensuring more people in Nigeria access the mental health care they need. To achieve this, we work directly or indirectly with others
to provide education and advocacy on issues about mental illness and mental healthcare through webinars, conferences, social media articles and more.
The Mental Health Medication Distribution Program is a cornerstone of our efforts to improve the state of mental healthcare in Nigeria. This program is designed to address the critical shortage of essential psychiatric medications in Nigeria, where many individuals with mental health disorders lack access to the treatments they desperately need.
By distributing these medications free of charge to hospitals and clinics across Nigeria, we are working to ensure that those who suffer from mental illness receive the care they need to lead healthier lives.
Our mental health medication distribution program is done in partnership with two organizations. The first is the Iselin New Jersey-based Gift Health Plus, Inc., led by Dr. Chamberlain Nwanne. Through Gift Plus Inc., we work with the New Brunswick-New Jersey based MAP International Inc. (Medicine for All People). We distributed the first round of medicines in March 2025 to hospitals and governments in Abia, Imo and Enugu states of Nigeria.
On May 2, 2026, all roads will lead to Double Tree Hotel, by Hilton, 2805 Highwoods Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina, venue of the conference and fundraising event of the Nigerian Mental Health Practitioners USA Inc. The event is designed to educate, raise money and drum support for the cause of mental healthcare in Nigeria. Updates to this event will continue to be posted on this page. Stay tuned.
NNHPUSA has other upcoming events designed to support mental health awareness, professional growth, and community engagement.
Watch out for the announcement for the date of our next Mental Health Roundtable, a virtual quarterly discussion program of topical issues in mental healthcare. Be part of our awareness programs designed to promote open conversations, support, and unity around mental health in our communities.
Many Nigerians with mental health disorders lack access to essential psychiatric medications. Our program addresses this shortage, ensuring treatments reach those who urgently need them.
We distribute psychiatric medications free to hospitals and clinics across Nigeria. This helps individuals with mental illness receive critical care for healthier, more fulfilling lives.
In partnership with Gift Health Plus, Inc. and MAP International, we delivered the first round of medicines in March 2025 to hospitals in Abia, Imo, and Enugu.
The success of the Mental Health Medication Distribution Program is measured not just in the number of medications distributed but in the number of lives changed. Each dose administered represents a step toward recovery, stability, and a better quality of life for those affected by mental illness. We are committed to expanding this program to reach even more people, and I invite you to support this vital initiative by contributing to our cause. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.
