local storiesDecember 2, 2025

Conversations with Ekwueme Divine

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ekwueme Divine.

Hi Ekwueme, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into mental health advocacy started from my university days. I noticed how easily people dismissed their emotions, how pain was often wrapped in silence, and how many young people carried battles no one ever asked about. I was part of that circle, people who didn’t want to talk about what they were feeling at that time. I didn’t have the language for it then, but I felt the weight of it.

When I began volunteering, what started as community work quickly became purpose. I found myself drawn to conversations about emotional well-being, resilience, and the quiet struggles young people face. I realized just how deeply stigma shapes the way we experience mental health, expecially in my home country in Nigeria how fear, culture, and misunderstanding keep many from seeking help.

Becoming a Mental Health First Aider opened my eyes even more. It taught me not just how to support someone in distress, but how powerful it is to create safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and validated. From facilitating emotional literacy sessions to writing about the realities young people face, I’ve grown into a role that is less about “expertise” and more about compassion and clarity.

Today, my work centers on mental health education, community support, and youth resilience. It’s an ongoing journey and it’s. one shaped by curiosity, empathy, and the belief that mental health shouldn’t be a privilege or a whispered conversation. I’m still growing, still learning, and still committed to making emotional well-being accessible and human for everyone.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working in mental health advocacy, especially in Nigeria, means you’re constantly navigating stigma, silence, and misunderstanding. One of the biggest challenges has been helping people unlearn the idea that mental health is something to hide or endure quietly. Many young people want to speak, but they’re afraid of being judged. Many adults need help but don’t know where to start. Walking into those conversations requires patience, empathy, and a lot of emotional strength.

Another struggle has been learning to care for others without losing myself. When you’re the “safe person,” people come to you with their pain, and if you’re not careful, you begin to carry stories that aren’t yours to hold.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work centers on mental health advocacy, emotional literacy, and youth well-being. I specialize in helping young people understand their emotions, recognize signs of distress, and build the tools they need to navigate life with resilience and intention.

As a Mental Health First Aider, I focus on providing initial support to individuals experiencing emotional or psychological distress. This includes listening non-judgmentally, offering reassurance, guiding them toward professional help, and educating communities about stigma-free support.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
If you’re just starting out, the first thing I’ll say is this: you don’t have to have everything figured out to begin.
Purpose isn’t discovered in a single moment, it’s shaped by curiosity, compassion, and the small steps you take consistently.

I wish someone had told me that it’s okay to grow slowly.
That I don’t need to feel like an expert to make an impact.

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