“The Depression People”: How Mental Health Advocacy Changed My Life Beyond Pharmacy
“I never wanted to finish just as a pharmacist, but as an all-around person with diverse experiences”.
In 2019, as a third-year pharmacy student, I was running on a heavy academic workload and a deep desire to make a difference in my immediate environment.
We were so vocal about mental health advocacy on campus that students started pointing us out. In local Pidgin, they fondly, and sometimes mockingly labelled us the “depression people”. We didn’t mind the nickname; it meant people were paying attention.
Stepping Out of My Depth
If you asked me where it all started, it was at a meeting in the NDDC hostel. I had very little idea of how the organization worked, but I showed up with a heart full of commitment. Stepping into that room, I instantly felt out of my depth, I was the only guy in a room full of eleven girls.
To make things more intimidating, the coordinator was my immediate senior at my faculty. I was incredibly shy, but as we stood together to take photos holding up the organization’s newly printed designs, something shifted. I realized I was surrounded by like-minded individuals in what would become the LEAD Community Foundation.
Leadership Under Pressure
The true turning point came during LEAD’s first national conference in Oghara, Delta State. I arrived as a passionate volunteer, but I left with a massive weight of responsibility. Amidst a period of rapid organizational growth, I was asked to step up and take over as the State Coordinator for Edo State.
Saying yes was terrifying. If you know anything about studying Pharmacy, you know the academic pressure is relentless. I had taken on leadership roles before, but nothing had ever demanded this level of emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and sheer stamina.
There were days when the weight of overseeing operations felt at odds with my pharmacy studies, yet we pushed through. Together with an incredible team, we stabilized the chapter and rapidly grew our membership. We moved beyond digital webinars, executing impactful projects across various UNIBEN departments to taking mental health education directly into secondary schools across Benin City. LEAD became my practical classroom, teaching me that true leadership is forged under the highest pressure.
Bridging Advocacy and Science
My time with LEAD didn’t just change my extracurricular life; it fundamentally transformed my career path as a future pharmacist. It broadened my understanding of mental health from a purely medical perspective to a deeply social human issue.
This passion grew so strong that I brought my advocacy into the scientific lab for my undergraduate dissertation: “Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of University of Benin Students About Mental Health”. We surveyed students across all 14 faculties, and the data scientifically validated everything we had been fighting for. It highlighted a growing, urgent need for structured support systems for students who were academically and emotionally overwhelmed.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
When I look back at that shy 300-level student in the NDDC hostel, I barely recognize him. Recently, I have received heartwarming commendations for my work, which made me realize a profound truth: people are always watching from afar, even when you think your efforts are going unnoticed.
Serving in LEAD Community Foundation has been one of the most defining chapters of my life. To any student reading this who wants to break boundaries and leave a lasting footprint on their campus: find an organization like LEAD and volunteer. You might start out trying to change your environment, but you will end up changing yourself.
The Author
Dr. Olufemi Phinehas Morgan
PharmD
Dr. Olufemi Phinehas Morgan, PharmD, is a Nigeria-based pharmacist, biomedical researcher, and healthcare leader. He specializes in healthcare leadership, mental health advocacy, and project management. Dedicated to social impact, he is currently pursuing a master's degree at China Medical University to improve quality of life, especially in LMICs.