NewzVanguard Media Limited on Friday held its 4th Mental Health Summit in Lagos, focusing on youth mental health in Nigeria and the impact of technology and social media on young people’s wellbeing. Speaking at the summit on October 9, 2026, the Editor of Vanguard, Eze Anaba, called for practical measures to improve access to mental health services, strengthen advocacy and create a more supportive environment for young Nigerians. Anaba said the summit was part of Vanguard’s commitment to bringing critical national issues into public discourse and helping to translate discussions into concrete action.
He identified anxiety, depression, substance use, suicide and other mental health challenges as issues affecting young Nigerians, noting that many people who need support continue to face barriers such as cost, limited availability of services and stigma. According to him, addressing youth mental health requires more than awareness campaigns, stressing the need for coordinated action by government, health institutions, schools, families, communities and technology platforms. He urged government and health institutions to expand affordable mental health services, while schools and universities should establish clear counselling and referral pathways for students who need professional support.
Anaba also called on families and communities to improve awareness of mental health warning signs and where to seek help, while urging technology platforms to strengthen measures against cyberbullying and harmful online content. “Our discussion, therefore, must go beyond awareness. We need to look at how young people can find appropriate support earlier, how schools and communities can respond better, and how technology can be used without exposing young people to avoidable harm,” he said.
The Vanguard editor challenged organisations represented at the summit to leave with at least one practical commitment, a designated person responsible for implementation and a clear deadline. “I would also encourage every organisation represented here to leave with one practical commitment, one person to drive it and a clear deadline. A year from today, we should be able to ask a simple question: what changed?” Anaba said.
He reaffirmed Vanguard’s commitment to keeping youth mental health in the public conversation through sustained reporting, credible information, the inclusion of young peo… By Efe Onodjae The Editor of Vanguard, Mr Eze Anaba, has called for urgent action to address mental health challenges among young Nigerians, warning that stigma, limited access to care and the harmful effects of social media remain major concerns for youth wellbeing. Anaba made the call on Friday at the 4th Vanguard Mental Health Summit in Lagos, themed “Advancing Youth Mental Health in Nigeria,” where he urged stakeholders to move beyond awareness campaigns and implement practical measures to support young people.
He said anxiety, depression, substance use and other mental health challenges were affecting young Nigerians, while many of those in need of assistance continued to face barriers such as the cost of treatment, inadequate services and stigma. The Vanguard editor stressed the need to create an environment where young people could seek help without fear of discrimination or judgment, adding that schools, families and communities had important roles to play in identifying mental health concerns and connecting affected individuals to appropriate support. According to him, the conversation on youth mental health must also address how technology and social media affect young people’s wellbeing.
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