Amokachi continues to provide support to increase mental health awareness among girls

Former Super Eagles forward Daniel Amokachi continues to provide support in ongoing efforts to promote greater awareness on the need for proper mental health care, HIV, tuberculosis, personal hygiene and sexual activities among girls, Sports247 reports.

The former international supports the noble enlightenment campaign through his social development and human empowerment project in collaboration with Sports Bridge Foundation and Debriche Health Development Center (DHDC).

Their latest effort was driven by officials of the Daniel Amokachi Eduplus Foundation (DAEF) at the annual Sports Bridge Booth camp, which focused on promoting physical well-being, emotional resilience, teamwork and healthy lifestyles among young female volleyball players.

Operating under the theme ‘Sports and Mental Health’, the program included sessions on menstrual hygiene, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), HIV prevention, dangers of tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive rights.

During the programme, a member of the DHDC, Dr. Omale Idoko, stressed that abstinence remains the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, and then advised young women to seek medical attention if they notice unusual symptoms.

Participants received further education on the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene and obtaining information on reproductive health, while facilitators from the Daniel Amokachi Eduplus Foundation also engaged the athletes in an interactive session under the theme “Real People, Real Conversation”.

Amokachi had previously promised at the company’s inception that he would fully support the campaign for youth mental health through football following his appointment as United Nations Goal Football Champion, which he referred to as a call for greater service.

While noting that it strengthened his resolve to use the power of sport to support young people around the world, Amokachi vowed to always join hands with policymakers and youth advocates to explore how sport can advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improve mental health globally.

“Our foundation has already been doing a lot of work on young people’s mental health. Football provides a powerful platform to educate, inspire and support young people, both on and off the pitch.

“Now that I have been named United Nations Football Goal Champion, I look forward to working closely with the UN to understand their program and identify areas where we can contribute even more.

“As a champion, I remain committed to protecting the mental health of players and athletes as they build their careers and become responsible members of society,” Amokachi said.

Sports247 further reports that the latest commitment follows the foundation’s involvement in the United Nations initiative called “One World, One Game, One Goal: Football for Youth Mental Health,” which highlighted the importance of using sport to promote disease prevention among young people.