The My Child’s Psyche Initiative (MCPI) has called for urgent attention to the emotional and psychological well-being of children, emphasizing the need for supportive environments at home, in schools and within communities.
Chyna Clifford, Founder and Managing Director of MCPI, made the call at the Ultimate Caregiver Enlightenment Symposium and Book Launch held on Thursday in Abuja.
Clifford said children often carry fears, dreams, anxieties and great potential, yet their emotions and concerns are frequently overlooked.
“This initiative began with a simple realization that every child carries a world within them — a world of fears, worries, concerns, wonder, dreams and immense potential.
“Yet far too often, this inner world goes unheard. Their voices are drowned out by the noise of society; emotions are overlooked and questions go unanswered.
“If we are to raise a generation of emotionally intelligent, morally grounded and socially responsible leaders, we must first understand the intricacies of a child’s mind.
“We must create environments — in schools, at home and within communities — where children are encouraged to speak up and express themselves.”
She said MCPI’s mission is to promote the holistic development of the child by integrating cognitive, emotional, moral and social growth.
According to her, aligning supportive environmental factors with reflective learning practices would help build psychological resilience, pro-social behavior and emotional stability across all stages of childhood.
“We envision a Nigeria where every child’s inner world is understood, respected and supported — not only in the classroom but also in homes and within the fabric of society.
“A nation where emotional intelligence is valued as much as academic excellence; where kindness, empathy and self-awareness are cultivated as intentionally as literacy and numeracy.”
Clifford said MCPI would develop programmes, tools and partnerships to bridge the gap between psychology and parenting, as well as between learning and everyday living.
She added that the initiative aims to empower parents with knowledge, equip educators with resources and encourage children to embrace their emotions as strengths rather than weaknesses.
“I believe that if we heal the psyche of the child, we heal the future of the nation.
“Every healthy society begins with a healthy mind, and every healthy mind begins in childhood.
“I invite parents, teachers, leaders and citizens to walk this path together. Let us nurture a generation that is not only brilliant but balanced; not only informed but inspired; not only successful but sincerely humane.”
A neurologist at the National Hospital, Dr Adaobi Okeke, said inadequate data, poor funding and maternal stress were contributing to the rise of autism among Nigerian children.
Okeke noted that most neurological studies, including those on dementia, originated outside the country and could not be directly applied to Nigeria due to population differences.
“We can’t use results from outside the country for our own population. We need our own research,” she said.
An obstetrician and gynaecologist, Mariam Tukur-Shagaya, speaking on postpartum depression, underscored the need for stronger support systems to reduce depression among women after childbirth.
She said spouses must be present and supportive to ensure the well-being of both mother and child.
