On September 30th, 2021, Flourish Africa, the female empowerment platform designed to help women achieve their full potential held its 5th annual conference themed ‘Mental Health: Keeping Stable in an Unstable World’.

In the welcome address by the convener and founder Apostle Folorunso Alakija, she said “the new realities of working from home, temporary unemployment, home-schooling children and lack of physical contact with other family members, friends, and colleagues have resulted in a negative effect on the physical and mental health of many people, especially those with existing mental health conditions”.

Speaking further, she quoted the World Health Organization survey of 10th October 2020, which reported bereavement, isolation, loss of income, and fear as triggers of mental health conditions. “Many people may be facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use, insomnia, and anxiety. In addition to this, COVID-19 itself can lead to neurological and mental complications, such as delirium, agitation, and stroke”. According to Apostle Alakija, all these factors informed the decision to bring subject matter experts together to discuss mental health and wellness with the Flourish Africa community at the conference.

The session’s keynote speaker was Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri, a consultant Psychiatrist, Managerial Psychologist, and the Medical Director of Tranquil & Quest Behavioural Health. Ms. Hauwa Ojeifo, Founder of “She Writes Woman”, a women-led movement giving mental health a voice in Nigeria, and Dr. Kafaya Balogun-Ogunsola, founder of Empathy Space consulting services were also speakers at the event, which was moderated by Dr. Ola Brown, Founder of the Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Group and Director Greentree Investment Company.

Flourish Africa is a female empowerment platform designed to help women achieve their full potential. It is a place for both female millennials and adults to access information and the right networks that will enable them to grow in their chosen careers and businesses while prioritizing health and wellness.