The Asido Campus Network, Obafemi Awolowo University, hosted a fundraising for autistic children on Wednesday, May 7th, at the Students’ Union Building where the organization displayed different pastry items like chinchin, banana bread.
In an interview with the president, Oluwafunmilayo Sopade, she said, ‘Asido means resilience. It is an Ebira word.’ According to her, the organization is particular about building resilience in people, create a safe space for everyone. She further noted that this space is where people recognize the importance of their mental health, how they have resources and information on how to enjoy optimal mental health.
Sopade, a medical student who also serves as the Vice President of Ife Medical Students Association, emphasized that mental health should not be overlooked. She said, “Mental health is not a myth; it is a thing which is as important as our physical health. This is why our foundation and this student network exist on this campus.”
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The organization focuses on mental health awareness and intervention on campus. “People hear about mental advocacy, but they really don’t know how to help people struggling with depression, anxiety disorder, or someone trying to commit suicide,” Sopade noted. “They don’t know where to direct them to for help, and that’s exactly what Asido does.”
As a registered club on campus, ACN-OAU works closely with university administration and healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive support for students facing mental health challenges.
At the time of interviewing the President, ACN-OAU was preparing for a significant event combining education with action. Sopade said, “We are having different stakeholders which includes the Dean of Students Affairs, Director of Health Care Centre, representative of the Youth Friendly Centre, Counselling Unit at the DSA, and representatives of the Students’ Union.”
The conference aims to showcase the organization’s accomplishments and highlight the support system they’ve established at OAUTHC (Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex).
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A key initiative of ACN-OAU is its “Blue Sale” fundraising. ‘The “blue” stands for autism, because blue is the color for autism,’ explains Sopade. All profits from the sale and additional donations will benefit the Children Development Centre at OAUTHC, specifically supporting children living with intellectual disability and autism.
This approach demonstrates the organization’s commitment to addressing specific mental health needs within the broader community, extending its impact beyond the university campus. By creating awareness, providing resources, and building community support systems, the organization is committed to ensuring that students are not facing mental health challenges.
As universities across Nigeria continue to address the growing concern around student mental health, organizations like Asido Campus Network offer a model for effective, student-led initiatives that can make a meaningful difference in campus communities.