KEYSTONE COLLEGE SCHOOL COUNSELLING

The Chartered Institute of Counselling Nigeria (CICN), through the YANA (You Are Not Alone) Teen Mental Health Initiative, conducted a student-focused mental health awareness and emotional wellbeing outreach at Keystone College, Lagos Island, on 9 October 2026.

YANA is a mental health initiative dedicated to creating awareness, providing emotional support, promoting help-seeking behaviour and strengthening mental health literacy among adolescents.

The outreach provided students with a supportive, non-judgmental environment to discuss emotional challenges, learn practical coping strategies and understand the importance of seeking professional psychological support when needed.

Led by Clinical Counseling Associate Ugorji Tochi, the programme combined psychoeducation, interactive discussions, affirmations, individual and small-group counselling, and the recruitment of student mental health ambassadors.

Programme Highlight: The outreach reached 50 students in SS2 and SS3, with 15 students selected as new YANA Mental Health Ambassadors.

1. Educate teenagers on mental health, emotional wellbeing and healthy coping strategies.
2. Provide a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment for emotional expression.
3. Identify students experiencing emotional difficulties and facilitate appropriate early counselling support.
4. Recruit and develop student mental health ambassadors to promote emotional wellbeing among peers.

The programme brought together students, professional counsellors, CICN staff, teachers and representatives of the school management. The students demonstrated enthusiasm, openness and active participation throughout the outreach.

• Professional CICN Counsellors
• CICN Staff and Volunteers
• Students of Keystone College
• Teachers and School Management

• Interactive mental health psychoeducation
• Student questions and shared experiences
• YANA affirmation and guided reflection
• Individual and small-group counselling
• Mental health ambassador identification
• Gifts, refreshments and student engagement

1. Opening and Introduction

   The programme commenced with a warm welcome and an introduction to CICN and the YANA Initiative. Students were introduced to the objectives and significance of the outreach.

2. Mental Health Talk and Psychoeducation

   Age-appropriate psychoeducation addressed teenage mental health, stress, anxiety, academic pressure, peer influence, self-esteem, social media pressure and emotional regulation.

3. YANA Affirmation and Interactive Session

   Students participated in the YANA affirmation, followed by an interactive session where they asked questions, shared experiences and received empathetic responses.

4. Individual and Small-Group Counselling

   Professional counsellors facilitated individual and small-group sessions, providing emotional support, guidance and practical coping strategies for students experiencing challenges.

5. Ambassador Recruitment

   Fifteen students were selected as YANA Mental Health Ambassadors based on their interest, empathy and willingness to promote mental wellbeing among their peers.

6. Gifts and Refreshments

   Gifts and refreshments were distributed to students and staff, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere and strengthening positive engagement throughout the outreach.

• Understanding Teenage Mental Health
• Stress and Anxiety Management
• Academic and Peer Pressure
• Self-Esteem and Confidence
• Social Media and Emotional Wellbeing
• Emotional Regulation and Coping Skills
• Speaking Up and Seeking Support

15 New Student Mental Health Ambassadors

A significant achievement of the outreach was the selection of 15 students from Keystone College to serve as YANA Mental Health Ambassadors.

These students were identified based on their demonstrated interest, empathy and willingness to contribute positively to the emotional wellbeing of their peers.

The selected ambassadors are expected to join the existing YANA Ambassadors WhatsApp Platform for structured orientation, mentorship, mental health awareness training and coordinated peer-support activities, with appropriate safeguarding and professional supervision.

• 50 students reached through mental health education and awareness.
• 15 students recruited as new YANA Mental Health Ambassadors.
• 30% of student participants selected as ambassadors.
• Individual and small-group counselling support delivered.
• Active student participation in interactive mental health discussions.
• Positive engagement and support from school management.

The 30% figure represents 15 selected ambassadors out of 50 participating students. It is a recruitment proportion, not a measured clinical outcome.

• Students demonstrated a willingness to discuss personal and emotional challenges when provided with a safe and non-judgmental environment.
• The discussions highlighted emotional pressures experienced by teenagers, including academic demands, peer relationships and self-esteem concerns.
• Students were receptive, engaged actively and demonstrated interest in understanding their mental health.
• The outreach reinforced the importance of consistent mental health education and accessible counselling support in secondary schools.
• The school management expressed appreciation for the initiative and demonstrated a supportive attitude towards student mental wellbeing.

• Promoted greater awareness of teenage mental health and emotional wellbeing within the school community.
• Established an opportunity for continued engagement between CICN, YANA and Keystone College.
• Introduced a student ambassador pathway for sustained mental health advocacy and peer awareness.
• Highlighted the importance of follow-up counselling and structured student support systems.

1. Courtesy Visit to School Management

   Arrange a courtesy visit to appreciate Keystone College management and explore opportunities for sustained collaboration.

2. Follow-Up Counselling Support

   Provide appropriate follow-up counselling and referrals for students requiring continued psychological support, in coordination with school safeguarding procedures.

3. Ambassador Onboarding and Mentorship

   Onboard the 15 selected ambassadors into the YANA Ambassadors Platform, subject to appropriate consent and safeguarding arrangements, and commence their orientation, mentorship and awareness activities.

4. Expansion of School Outreach

   Extend the YANA Initiative to additional secondary schools to promote early mental health awareness, emotional resilience and positive help-seeking behaviour.

The success of the YANA outreach was supported by organisations and partners whose generous contributions enhanced the experience of participating students and strengthened the impact of the initiative.

1. CICN Team: Provided professional counsellors and refreshments to support the delivery of the outreach programme.
2. The Well Child Hub: Donated mental wellness jotters to encourage student reflection and awareness of emotional wellbeing.
3. Kellogg's Nigeria: Supported the programme with two cartons of corn flakes for participating students.
4. Bsense Pad: Provided sanitary pads for female students, supporting menstrual hygiene and personal wellbeing.

We sincerely appreciate our sponsors for prioritising teenage mental health and helping us reach the next generation of leaders. We also acknowledge the dedication of all professional counsellors, CICN staff, volunteers, teachers, school management and students of Keystone College who contributed to the success of the outreach.

1. Establish periodic mental health education and awareness programmes for students.
2. Strengthen accessible counselling and early intervention pathways within secondary schools.
3. Provide structured mentorship, safeguarding guidance and professional supervision for student mental health ambassadors.
4. Promote collaboration between school authorities, parents and qualified mental health professionals.
5. Introduce appropriate feedback and evaluation tools to assess learning, engagement and longer-term programme outcomes.

Photographic highlights from the YANA Teen Mental Health Initiative at Keystone College, Lagos Island.

The YANA Teen Mental Health Initiative outreach at Keystone College, Lagos Island, was successfully delivered, providing mental health education, emotional support and opportunities for student engagement.

The programme reached 50 students and resulted in the recruitment of 15 new YANA Mental Health Ambassadors. The positive response from students and school management reinforced the importance of accessible, school-based mental health education and counselling support.

Through continued outreach, ambassador mentorship, professional counselling and institutional partnerships, CICN and the YANA Initiative remain committed to creating supportive environments where teenagers feel heard, valued and empowered to seek help.