“In the beginning, I thought it was just about drawing for fun,” Chinedu Ogoh says, giggling sheepishly. “But each time I painted, I felt lighter, as if I was pouring all my sadness onto the canvas.”
Chinedu, 21, grew up in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub, where resilience often meets adversity. When his parents divorced, he was sent to live with an abusive relative, triggering a spiral into depression. He stopped attending classes, his grades slipped, and he nearly dropped out of school. Then, by chance, he saw a WhatsApp status about an art therapy program run by The Sunshine Initiative, a Nigerian NGO using visual arts to address youth mental health issues. A lover of art, Chinedu decided to attend. Today, he credits art therapy for helping him regain emotional balance and refocus on his studies.
Art Therapy and Mental Health
Mental health is an urgent concern in Nigeria. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 29 million Nigerians are affected by mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. However, the stigma surrounding mental health, insufficient facilities, and low awareness make it difficult for many, especially young people, to seek help.
This is where art therapy and other alternative treatments come into play. Art therapy uses creative expression as a way to manage psychological stress. For many young Nigerians overwhelmed by intense emotions, art becomes a language for what words cannot convey. It enables self-discovery and resilience through healing.
Visual arts such as painting, drawing, and sculpture offer young people a judgment-free space to express their inner struggles. The Sunshine Initiative, one of the leading organisations in this space, has taken significant steps towards integrating art therapy into mental health interventions for Nigerian youth.
Healing through Creativity
Founded in 2017 in Lagos, The Sunshine Initiative focuses on mental health awareness and youth development. One of its key programs, Art for Hope, offers free art therapy sessions to young people aged 15 to 25 who are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress.
The initiative was co-founded by Adebisi Ojo and Ifeanyi Nwosu, who were inspired by an experience at a juvenile rehabilitation center where they saw art therapy in action. Troubled teenagers, many from broken homes and struggling with substance abuse, found a way to express feelings they couldn’t put into words through drawing and painting. Adebisi and Ifeanyi decided to bring this form of therapy to vulnerable youth across Nigeria. “We realized that many young people have a talent for creativity but lack the emotional tools to process their inner turmoil,” Ifeanyi explains. “Art therapy is not about teaching art techniques; it’s about using creativity to heal.”
The Art for Hope programme holds weekly workshops in community centres, universities, and secondary schools, where trained art therapists guide participants through creative exercises like abstract painting and collage-making. For many, these workshops offer a safe space to reflect on personal challenges and develop emotional coping strategies.
A Turning Point for Chinedu
Chinedu joined the programme reluctantly. “I didn’t think art could help me. It felt silly to talk about my feelings through painting,” he admits. But during his first session, he was asked to create a painting that reflected his emotions. He produced a wild swirl of red and black, which he described as “a storm,” mirroring the chaos he felt inside.
Over time, the changes became apparent. Each week, Chinedu’s artwork allowed him to externalise his anger and sadness—emotions he had suppressed since his parents’ divorce. “The art became a mirror,” he reflects. “Each painting helped me see parts of myself I hadn’t acknowledged before.”
In one pivotal session, Chinedu painted a self-portrait with half of his face hidden behind a mask. When asked to interpret it, he explained that he often masked his vulnerability with false confidence in front of friends and family. “It was the first time I admitted I wasn’t okay,” he recalls. That moment marked a breakthrough for him.
With his art therapist’s guidance, Chinedu learned to use mindfulness techniques to manage his emotions. His school grades improved, and he began rebuilding friendships he had lost during his darkest days. Now, Chinedu volunteers with The Sunshine Initiative, helping other young people learn how to harness their emotions through art. “If not for art therapy, I don’t know where I’d be,” he says softly.
The Science Behind Art Therapy
Art therapy works by engaging the brain’s creative processes to enhance emotional regulation and promote psychological insight. Research has shown that creating art stimulates the brain’s limbic system, responsible for regulating emotions. It also increases dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter that helps combat symptoms of depression.
“Many of the young people we work with have experienced trauma but don’t know how to verbalise their pain,” says co-founder Adebisi Ojo. “Art offers them a way to communicate without words. In the process, they often find clarity and relief.”
By externalising their emotions through art, participants gain a sense of control over feelings that once felt overwhelming. This process helps reduce anxiety, increases self-awareness, and fosters emotional resilience.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite its successes, art therapy in Nigeria faces significant challenges. Public awareness of its benefits remains low, and it is often dismissed as a frivolous activity rather than a legitimate form of therapy. Funding is another major obstacle, as most of The Sunshine Initiative’s programmes rely on donations and grants to remain accessible to marginalised youth.
“We need more support from both the government and private sectors,” emphasizes Ifeanyi. “Mental health is just as important as physical health, and innovative approaches like art therapy should be included in national mental health policies.”
The Sunshine Initiative has big plans for the future. The organisation aims to expand Art for Hope to more states across Nigeria, partner with schools and hospitals to integrate art therapy into mental health care, and create an online platform offering virtual therapy sessions for young people.
In a society where mental health is still stigmatised, art therapy offers young people like Chinedu a way to express themselves, make sense of their struggles, and begin the healing process.
“Art gave me back my voice,” Chinedu says. “It helped me realise that my feelings are valid, and I can turn pain into beauty.”
As The Sunshine Initiative looks ahead, more Nigerian youth are discovering that art is more than just colours on a canvas. It is a powerful tool for healing, self-expression, and hope. With every brushstroke, sketch and splash of paint, they are reminded that they are not defined by their struggles. They are the artists of their own stories, painting new beginnings on the canvas of life
Chinedu Ogoh, a 21-year-old from Lagos, Nigeria, found solace in art therapy after facing familial and emotional challenges. He discovered art’s therapeutic benefits through a program by The Sunshine Initiative, a Nigerian NGO focused on addressing youth mental health through visual arts. The initiative provides free art therapy for individuals aged 15-25 dealing with issues like depression and anxiety. Co-founded by Adebisi Ojo and Ifeanyi Nwosu in 2017, the program uses art to help youths process emotions and develop resilience.
Art therapy is seen as crucial in a country where mental health issues are prevalent yet stigmatized. It allows participants to express complex emotions visually, aiding in emotional regulation and self-awareness. Chinedu, initially skeptical, experienced transformative outcomes; his artwork allowed him to confront and articulate his feelings for the first time. With support, he managed to improve his life and now volunteers to support others.
Despite its benefits, art therapy in Nigeria faces challenges such as low public awareness and limited funding. The Sunshine Initiative plans to expand its reach and integrate art therapy into broader mental health services. Art therapy is highlighted as a significant method for self-expression and emotional healing, empowering young Nigerians to face their experiences and create positive change in their lives.
