By  Auwal Ahmad Umar

The Vent Cope Relief Initiative (VentCope) has reached more than 400 people in five internally displaced persons (IDP) and resettlement communities in Abuja and Adamawa State with mental health awareness and psychosocial education.

The initiative was organised to commemorate the 2026 World Mental Health Day and the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, with support from SelvedgePsych and Mutaru Development Initiative.

The outreach covered Wassa IDP Settlement in Abuja, as well as Damare IDP Camp, Fombina IDP Camp, Salama Resettlement Camp and Labondo Integration Settlement in Adamawa State.

The sessions were designed to help participants understand the emotional and psychological challenges associated with displacement and other adverse experiences, including how these challenges can affect their wellbeing, daily activities and ability to cope with difficult circumstances.

Participants were also sensitised to the importance of psychosocial recovery, particularly for individuals and families who continue to experience emotional distress and other difficulties long after the immediate effects of a crisis have subsided.

The programme aligned with the 2026 World Mental Health Day theme, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” which emphasises the need to listen to people’s experiences and recognise their mental health needs.

Speaking on the initiative, Sharon Yabilsu-Guyuk, Executive Director of VentCope, said recovery from adversity should go beyond physical survival to include emotional wellbeing and the ability to rebuild lives.

“Surviving adversity is important, but it is not the end of the recovery journey. People can continue to experience distress and face difficulties in their everyday lives long after the immediate crisis has passed,” she said.

Yabilsu-Guyuk stressed the need to give greater attention to psychosocial recovery, noting that people affected by difficult experiences require support to cope with their challenges, regain their ability to function and rebuild their lives.

She added that mental health and psychosocial support should not be overlooked in efforts to assist people affected by displacement and other crises.

The activities marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction also examined the concept of home beyond the provision of physical shelter.

Reflecting the 2026 theme, “Resilience Starts at Home,” discussions highlighted how home represents more than a place to live, particularly for displaced people who may have lost their familiar surroundings and support networks.

For affected individuals and families, home can also represent safety, meaningful relationships, family connections, belonging and a sense of emotional stability — aspects of life that displacement can disrupt.

The outreach underscored the importance of integrating mental health awareness and psychosocial support into humanitarian responses, particularly for displaced populations who may continue to face emotional and social difficulties long after emergencies have ended.

Through the initiative, VentCope and its partners sought to draw attention to the need for sustained support that enables affected communities not only to overcome immediate crises but also to recover, regain stability and rebuild their lives.