Healing Hearts: Young Women in Dass Embrace Therapy to Reclaim Their Emotional Wellbeing

A growing number of young women between the ages of 20 and 24 in the Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State are taking bold steps to prioritise their mental health by enrolling in interpersonal growth therapy sessions.

The initiative, facilitated by Plan International with support from Global Affairs Canada, is providing a safe and structured environment for participants to openly discuss and confront emotional struggles affecting their lives.

During one of the recent sessions held on Thursday, several participants shared deeply personal experiences, revealing how life-altering events such as divorce, heartbreak, the loss of parents or children, infertility, and difficulties adjusting to new environments had taken a toll on their mental wellbeing.

One of the beneficiaries, Hasiya Aliyu, recounted how losing both her parents within a six-month span plunged her into emotional distress.

“After my parents passed away within such a short period, everything changed for me,” she said. “I felt empty and disconnected from the world. I stopped interacting with people and kept to myself.”

Another participant, 24-year-old Fatima Jibrin, spoke about the emotional trauma she endured after her fiancé of seven years ended their relationship and married someone else.

“That experience broke me completely,” she said. “For four years, I avoided any form of relationship. When I heard about these sessions, I decided to give it a try. It was here that I realised I had been battling depression and needed help.”

She added that the weekly meetings, where participants openly share their experiences under professional guidance, have played a significant role in her recovery.

“Our facilitator created a comfortable space for us to speak without fear. The support I received has transformed me. Today, I encourage other young women facing similar struggles to join the program,” she explained.

According to Mohammed Nasir, Senior Project Coordinator at Plan International, the therapy sessions were introduced four years ago across selected local government areas under the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASPIRE) project.

He noted that the program currently operates in several LGAs, including Bauchi, Dass, Toro, Ningi, Jama’are, Darazo, Misau, Katagum, and Gamawa.

Nasir explained that participants are organised into groups that undergo an eight-week, structured program designed to build confidence, encourage open communication, and strengthen emotional resilience.

He added that trained facilitators guide the sessions and provide support to help participants address personal challenges in a healthy and constructive manner.

The initiative, he said, is focused on improving the emotional wellbeing of young women in the state while equipping them with coping skills to navigate life’s challenges with renewed strength and confidence.