About SpeakOut

Every young person deserves to be heard, supported and empowered to thrive.

SpeakOut Mental Health Outreach is building a youth wellbeing ecosystem that connects education, mental health, technology and community for lasting change.

Our Story What We Do

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Our Mission

To promote mental wellbeing and empower young people to thrive.

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Our Vision

A world where every young person has access to the support they need.

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Our Values

Compassion • Integrity • Empowerment • Inclusivity • Excellence

0Schools Reached 0Students Targeted 0Volunteers & Ambassadors 0Growth Regions

Our Story

From silence to support. From awareness to structure.

Many young people are surrounded by people, yet still feel alone. They face academic pressure, family pressure, financial stress, bullying, grief, abuse, social media comparison, fear of failure and uncertainty about the future. Too often, they are told to “be strong” when what they need is safe support, good information and trusted adults who know how to listen.

SpeakOut was created to help communities move from silence to conversation, from stigma to education, and from one-day awareness events to systems that schools can sustain. The work is built around a simple belief: young people should not have to reach crisis before someone notices they are struggling.

Through school clubs, awareness campaigns, teacher development, parent education, youth leadership, media programs and digital learning pathways, SpeakOut is creating a practical ecosystem for early mental health support.

A movement with structure

We are not only creating conversations. We are building school-friendly, digitally organized and youth-centered support systems.

What We Believe

Every young person deserves support before crisis.

Mental health education should be clear, accessible and practical. Students should know how to ask for help, teachers should know how to notice warning signs, and parents should have resources they can trust.

Someone who listens

Young people need trusted adults and peers who listen without shame, fear or judgment.

A safer school culture

Schools should be places where emotional wellbeing is discussed, protected and supported.

Practical emotional education

Students should learn language for stress, anxiety, grief, pressure and emotional resilience.

Hope and future skills

Healing is stronger when young people also gain confidence, leadership and future-ready skills.

The Challenge

Emotional distress does not always look like crying.

It can appear as anger, silence, poor grades, risky behavior, bullying, withdrawal, constant tiredness, loss of interest, fear, substance use or giving up quietly.

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Academic Pressure

Students carry pressure to perform, pass exams and meet family expectations.

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Digital Pressure

Social media can increase comparison, insecurity and exposure to harmful content.

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Family Stress

Conflict, financial stress, grief and instability can affect behavior and learning.

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Bullying & Isolation

Rejection and loneliness can make students feel unsafe, unseen and unsupported.

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Stigma

Many young people hide struggles because they fear judgment, punishment or mockery.

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Weak Support Pathways

Schools and families may care deeply but still lack clear structures for support and referral.

Mission

To build safer mental health ecosystems.

We educate, equip and connect students, parents, teachers and communities through programs that promote awareness, early help-seeking, emotional resilience and sustainable support structures.

Vision

An Africa where young people can speak, heal and thrive.

We envision schools and communities where emotional wellbeing is taken seriously, stigma is reduced, and young people know where to turn before problems become crises.

Purpose

To make support practical, visible and reachable.

SpeakOut bridges the gap between awareness and action through school-friendly programs, public education, media outreach and protected learning access.

How We Work

We do not stop at awareness.

SpeakOut uses a step-by-step model that helps young people, schools and families move from information to action.

01Awareness

Reduce silence and stigma.

02Education

Teach signs, language and coping.

03Screening

Encourage reflection through MindCheck.

04Support

Guide safe conversations and referrals.

05Skills

Build resilience and leadership.

06Impact

Strengthen schools and communities.

Why Schools?

Schools are where early support can become a culture.

Young people spend a large part of their lives in school. Teachers often notice behavioral changes before anyone else. Peers influence one another daily. Parents look to schools for guidance. This makes schools one of the most powerful places to introduce mental health education and structured support.

Schools create daily contact with students
Teachers can notice early warning signs
Students can learn peer support and leadership
Parents can be brought into the wellbeing conversation
Clubs make mental health education continuous

Explore School Partnerships

Students participating in a mental health club

Beyond a seminar

SpeakOut helps schools build clubs that continue learning, activities, support and reporting after the first awareness event.

Founder of SpeakOut Mental Health Outreach

Founder Vision

Building a movement where young people are heard before they break.

SpeakOut’s vision is to make emotional wellbeing a normal part of school life, community conversation and youth development. The mission is not only to raise awareness, but to build a system that supports young people through education, technology, partnerships and opportunity.

By 2030, SpeakOut aims to be recognized as a leading youth wellbeing ecosystem connecting mental health, learning, media, research and school-based support across Africa.

— SpeakOut Mental Health Outreach

What Makes SpeakOut Different

A public education movement connected to structured support.

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School-Focused

Designed for students, teachers, parents and administrators together.

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Media-Driven

Radio, YouTube and social media help education reach beyond events.

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Digitally Organized

Resources, member pathways, certificates and dashboards are structured online.

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Youth-Led

Young people are advocates, ambassadors, volunteers and voices in the movement.

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Partnership-Based

Schools, NGOs, health institutions and sponsors strengthen the work.

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Impact-Oriented

We document reach, engagement, training, school adoption and partnership growth.

Leadership & Operations

Built by people who care about youth wellbeing.

SpeakOut’s work is supported by leadership, safeguarding, operations, finance, volunteers, school coordinators and partner organizations.

Jerry Offorka

Founder / Executive Director

Vision, strategy, partnerships and institutional growth.

Hafsat Waziri

Coordinator / Safeguarding Focal

School coordination, safeguarding direction and support pathways.

Omatule Rejoice

Operations

Program logistics, school communication and outreach delivery.

Feyintola Olabisi Adedun

Financial Secretary

Financial tracking, accountability and administrative support.

Core Values

The principles behind the work.

Compassion

We meet people with empathy, patience and respect for their lived experience.

Confidentiality

We treat sensitive conversations, user access and support pathways with seriousness.

Collaboration

We work with schools, parents, health partners, NGOs and community leaders.

Practicality

We design programs schools can implement, not just admire.

Integrity

We communicate impact, needs, limitations and partnership expectations clearly.

Youth Voice

We believe young people should be heard, trained and trusted to lead.

Our Journey

Growing from outreach to a digital mental health ecosystem.

SpeakOut’s growth reflects a clear shift: from awareness activities to a stronger structure involving school clubs, leadership programs, media visibility, partnerships and protected digital access.

Awareness

Community conversations opened the door.

Making mental health conversations easier, safer and less stigmatized.

School Engagement

Schools became a priority.

The model expanded toward school clubs and teacher-supported activities.

Leadership & Partnerships

Partners strengthened the work.

More institutions, NGOs and volunteers became part of the movement.

Digital Ecosystem

Learning and certificates became organized online.

The platform now supports public education and structured resources.

Vision 2030

From mental health outreach to Africa’s youth wellbeing ecosystem.

SpeakOut’s long-term direction is to connect mental health, learning, school systems, media, research and future-ready opportunities into one scalable platform.

100+Schools onboarded into structured wellbeing programs

100k+Young people reached through programs, media and digital tools

Multi-stateSchool club expansion across Nigeria and beyond

AcademySpeakHub learning pathways for future-ready skills

ResearchReports, surveys and policy briefs that shape action

PlatformA unified digital ecosystem for schools, families and communities

Partners & Collaborators

Progress is stronger when organizations work together.

SpeakOut’s work is strengthened by schools, health institutions, NGOs, volunteers, sponsors and community stakeholders.

SpeakOut

SYNIA Aid Foundation

CNU Medical Institute

Quality Care

NASCOHST

NYSC CDS

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about SpeakOut.

What is SpeakOut Mental Health Outreach?

SpeakOut is a youth mental health organization focused on awareness, school clubs, education, media outreach, partnerships and structured support pathways.

Can schools join the program?

Yes. Schools can request partnership, club setup, teacher coordination and student wellbeing activities.

Can parents participate?

Yes. Parents can access education, support guidance and parent-focused resources through SpeakOut’s programs.

What is MindCheck?

MindCheck is a digital wellbeing pathway that helps users reflect on their emotional state and learn practical support steps.

Can professionals volunteer?

Yes. Counselors, doctors, educators, social workers, media professionals and community leaders can support the work.

How can someone donate?

Supporters can donate through Paystack or bank transfer to help fund school clubs, training, media and learning access.

Join the Movement

Together, we can build schools where every young person feels seen, heard and supported.

Partner with SpeakOut, register a school, volunteer your skills, support a campaign or sponsor a school mental health club.

Partner With Us Register a School Volunteer / Apply Donate