Dear Donors,
We are seeking support for the U.S.-Nigeria Tele-Psychiatry Skill-Share Program. At this time, no donations have been received, and assistance is needed to begin training health workers who are responding daily to Nigeria’s growing mental health needs.
Nigeria has a serious shortage of mental health specialists, with fewer than 200 psychiatrists serving a population of over 200 million people. Many individuals living with mental health conditions receive no medical care at all. In some communities, mental illness is still linked to myths such as witchcraft, leading to abuse, chaining, beatings, and denial of treatment. Health workers on the front lines often lack the skills and support needed to manage these cases safely and humanely.
This program is designed to train 7,000 Nigerian health workers through virtual, cohort-based learning led by licensed psychiatrists from the United States. Training will be delivered online in structured three-month cohorts, allowing participation without travel. Sessions will include live case discussions, guided lessons, and mentorship focused on diagnosis, patient care, and reducing harmful beliefs through medical knowledge.
By expanding skills among nurses, doctors, and community health workers, this program will help bring mental health care closer to people who currently have no access. Trained participants will be able to support patients in clinics and communities, offer early help, and guide families toward proper care instead of abuse or neglect.
We invite your support to help launch this program and strengthen mental health care delivery where it is urgently needed.
Kind regards,
Ugbede-Ojo Dominic Kadiri
