In the creative industry in Nigeria, practitioners rarely have conversations about mental health, as there is a culture of silence and shame that many associate with this topic.
International model, Adesola Adeyemi, is on a mission to spread awareness about mental health awareness in this industry within Nigeria and globally through her NGO initiative, “Styling the Mind.”
"Styling the Mind" aims to empower young individuals in the fashion industry, as well as creative/entertainment industry by addressing the prevalent issues of mistreatment, mental health neglect, and the challenges faced in these professional fields and also personal spheres. With a focus on equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary for thriving in their chosen careers and personal lives, alongside providing comprehensive mental health resources, this initiative seeks to foster a culture of well-being and resilience, applicable across the entertainment/creative industries.
The initiative officially debuted via an exclusive event that took place on April 6, at Mantra in Lagos, Nigeria. During the event, Adesola and the guest speakers present created a safe space to empower the audience - individuals in the creative industry - with necessary resources and mentorship to equip them with the tools they need for mental health wellness in their personal and career journeys. Speakers at the event included; Erica Nlewedim (Actress), Michelle Adepoju (Founder, Kilentar), Bankole Williams (Life Coach), Aliet Alier (international model), and Neanda Salvaterra (international journalist).
In addition, acclaimed therapist, Angel Yinkore, also played a crucial role at the event, enlightening the audience on best practices for ensuring mental health wellness.
Speaking on her inspiration for launching Styling the Mind, Adesola says:
“As someone who has faced tough times and challenges both in the fashion industry and her personal life, and has witnessed the toll these traumatic experiences can take on one’s mental health, I reflect on a recent visit to Lagos to support a friend during a fashion week event. I encountered some unpleasant experiences backstage, which triggered memories of the struggle of being a model in Nigeria. Models approached me to express their concerns about how in some instances, they aren’t treated well in the fashion industry in Lagos, which made me question society’s emphasis on physical appearance over mental wellness. This led me to advocate for taking a more conscious approach to mental health that mirrors the effort we put into our physical appearance and fashion choices.
For me, Styling the Mind is not just an initiative; it’s a journey back to my roots, a mission to offer the support once longed for, bridging the gap between adorned exteriors and neglected interiors of minds while eradicating mental health stigma in the fashion industry, and creative/entertainment industry in general.
This initiative isn't just about raising awareness; it's about creating a safe harbor where individuals in the fashion industry and creative industry in general, can find solace, support, and strength. It was an awesome feeling to have the opportunity to mentor models and creatives who attended the event.
My hope is that together, we can shatter stigmas and cultivate a culture of wellness within our community and beyond."
To further promote a culture of mental health wellness, Adesola will be giving away free therapy sessions to some of the event attendees.
Styling the Mind event was proudly supported by: BellaNaija, Marie Claire Nigeria, Pulse NG, Uncover, Mantra, WTT, Vanilla Moon, Karma, and Euphorique PR.
For more updates on Styling the Mind, keep up with Adesola:
Website: iamadesola.com
Instagram: @desola.adeyemi
Instagram: @stylingthemind
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