In a bid to reduce the increasing rate of suicide, depression, divorce, drug abuse, and other mental health-related issues; the Institute of Counseling in Nigeria (ICN) has launched a dedicated online platform, Your Wellness Clinic (www.yourwellnessclinic.org), to give people the opportunity irrespective of their income, background, belief, or status to access 24/7 topnotch therapy and counseling services at their convenient time from anywhere in the world from the institute’s certified experts.
The institute unveiled the portal, www.yourwellnessclinic.org, at a press conference held at its office in Lagos recently.
According to ICN, it is leveraging technology to democratise counseling and therapy by ensuring that everyone has access to the support and guidance they need whether they are struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or any other mental health concern, regardless of their financial situation.
It also stated that beyond providing affordable and reliable services, people’s privacy is protected and its services are confidential. “We take confidentiality very seriously and ensure that our services are completely confidential. Your privacy is of utmost importance to us, and we go to great lengths to protect it.”
The Executive Director of ICN, Dr. Tolulope Oko-Igaire said that people are going through a lot, many don’t have the right people around to share their challenges with who can offer them quality counseling, which has led to the increasing rate of suicide, divorce, drug abuse, and others.
She added that depression affects people’s performance at work including their relationships and life in general which is why people need to seek counseling. She explained further that experts revealed that about 85% of psychiatric cases are a result of relationship issues. “This should explain to you the level of ignorance around the role of professional counselors and therapists in making sure people move towards optimal functionality rather than mental illness in the mental health spectrum.”
Furthermore, Oko-Igaire pointed out that the newly launched website, www.yourwellnessclinic.org, which is a one-stop shop for counselors and therapists who are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective care for people is set to change the narrative of mental health issues in the country and the continent.
“Over the years, the Institute of Counseling in Nigeria though with our little beginning started very small, today; we have graduated over 500 therapists and still counting. Part of our dream is to make therapy accessible to everyone irrespective of their background, belief, or status. We have tried to have this platform over the years but were unable to due to various bottlenecks, but today we have been able to achieve this feat, a platform where all Nigerians, Africans, and the whole world can walk into access counseling on their terms.
“We have always known that professional counseling is the new generational skill for optimal functionality and societal development and that is why we are playing our part in making sure that people think, feel, and act right. Welcome to your wellness Clinic. Recover, regain, relief,” she said.
Similarly, Board Member, ICN, Dr.Olufunso Amosun said that over the years, the Institute of Counseling in Nigeria has been at the forefront of leading the campaign for mental health awareness in Nigeria and propagating the sensitisation on the news for professional counseling and therapy in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, adding that the new platform will help transform lives.
“Today, I’m here to make history on behalf of all the board members as we launch the online therapy arm of the Institute of Counseling in Nigeria, what this means is that all Nigerians can access therapy irrespective of their belief, religion, status, and location.
“People are no doubt going through a lot in Nigeria and we are not unaware, that is why every opportunity to improve the quality of life of Nigerians is a welcome idea. If your body is sick you go to the hospital, if you are unsure in your spirit you talk to your spiritual leaders, but when your mind is troubled where do you go? Today, we are making history, welcome to www.yourwellnessclinic.org,” she said.
Some of the services on the website include Anger management, Anxiety, ADHD & Attention issues, Adoption, Agoraphobia, Alzheimer, Asperger’s syndrome, Autism, Alcohol addiction, and others.
