The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation (CALMHAF) and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen mental healthcare access to Nigerians.
The MoU was signed on Monday in Enugu by both foundations under their joint “Total Care Mind and Body Initiative.”
Speaking after the signing, the Founder and Executive Director of CALMHAF, Rev. Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, said that the agreement builds on the courtesy visit paid by the UNTH Foundation team earlier.
Nwachukwu said that “Total Care Mind and Body Initiative”, which the MoU is based on, would focus on holistic support for mental health issues in communities, especially the underserved.
He said that the initiative, designed as a joint proactive, problem-solving one encourages early preventive steps and help-seeking behaviours; thereby, reducing emergencies and medical costs.
Nwachukwu said, “As we step into 2026, I am filled with excitement and optimism, knowing that this collaboration will profoundly enhance holistic wellbeing for everyone.
“Thus, breaking down barriers, offering holistic healing and ensuring that no one in Enugu or beyond has to face mental health challenges alone.”
He added that the initiative would ensure communities in Enugu have access to integrated holistic care closer to home, with joint outreach programmes promoting early intervention, destigmatisation campaigns, and free or subsidised mental health screenings alongside physical health services.
According to him, this will particularly support vulnerable groups, including mothers, adolescents, low-income families, and rural populations who often face barriers to specialised care.
“Healthcare providers at UNTH and affiliated facilities will receive training and resources to identify and address mental health concerns routinely, leading to more accurate diagnoses, better treatment adherence, and reduced readmissions due to unaddressed psychological factors.
“As a model of successful integration, this partnership has the potential to influence healthcare policy and practices across Southeastern Nigeria and beyond.
“By demonstrating measurable improvements in patient resilience, family wellbeing, and community health indicators, it could inspire similar collaborations in other states, contributing to Nigeria’s broader goals of universal health coverage and sustainable development,” he said.
Corroborating, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UNTH Foundation, Prof. Theresa Nwagha, noted that at the heart of the partnership “is a profound recognition that mental health is inseparable from physical health.”
“I am absolutely thrilled about this transformative partnership and the immense promise it holds for the people of Enugu and beyond.
“By uniting our expertise and resources, we are opening doors to truly integrated care that will profoundly impact lives, build stronger families, and create a more resilient and compassionate community for generations to come.”
Nwagha said that UNTH foundation was currently expanding its mission to include emotional and psychological wellbeing.
He added that by partnering with CALMHAF, the foundation would create a synergy that addresses health in its fullest sense.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that mental health continues to be critically underserved and non-prioritised in Nigeria; where stigma, limited resources, and lack of awareness often prevent individuals from seeking or receiving timely help.
