MINDBRIDGE Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Lives
Nigeria has an estimated 20 million people living with mental illness — fewer than 10% receive adequate care. MindBridge provides treatment, shelter, rehabilitation, and family reunification for the most vulnerable.
A Mental Health Charity Built On Compassion
MindBridge Shelter and Support Network is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to helping and supporting people with severe mental illness wandering the streets to receive treatment and provide shelter.
Based in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria, we provide access to treatment of mental health conditions, shelter, psychosocial support, vocational rehabilitation/training and reconnection with families. We restore dignity, hope, and a future to those who have been neglected by families and society.
Nigeria has an estimated 20 million people living with mental illness, yet fewer than 10% have access to adequate care. The country has roughly 350 psychiatrists for a population exceeding 200 million. MindBridge exists to bridge this gap for the most vulnerable.
Restoring Hope
Since Establishment
Help for the Helpless, Hope for the Hopeless
Our four-stage programme addresses the needs of people with severe mental illness roaming the streets — from the moment of contact through to recovery, independent living and family reconnection.
Rescue from the Streets
Our Outreach Team work directly on the streets, engage people with severe mental illness who are homeless, abandoned and vulnerable. We provide immediate safety, shelter, and the first steps toward recovery and arrange for comprehensive assessment of their mental and physical health and basic needs.
- Street Outreach
- Safety and Basic Needs – Shelter, Food, Clothing
- Comprehensive Assessment
- Access To Treatment
A Safe Place to Begin Again
For many, this is the first time in years they have had a roof over their heads, a bed, and someone who cares.
Key Elements of MindBridge Interventions
The most important elements in mental health rehabilitation are the ones that help a person move from illness toward independence, stability, and a meaningful life.
MindBridge is built on compassion for the hopeless, helpless and vulnerable, those with severe mental illness abandoned by family and humanity.
Dr Obafemi Odesanya is a Consultant in General Psychiatry and Substance Misuse. He qualified as a medical doctor from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos in 1984 and attained his specialist training certification in England, United Kingdom. He is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a trainer of doctors. He worked in the National Health Service (NHS) for Mental Health Trusts in the South East and South West of England for more than two decades; worked in several clinical leadership and service improvement roles, contributing to resident doctors training before his retirement from the NHS.
Whilst living and working abroad, during his visits to his loving home town in Sagamu, Ogun State, he observed the neglect and abandonment being experienced by people with severe mental health challenges often seen in motor parks and market places. With his wealth of knowledge and experience in treating severe mental illness, and his determination to help, he planted the seed of MindBridge Shelter and Support Network as a charitable non-profit organization.
The objective of MindBridge is to reach out to people suffering from severe mental illness roaming the streets to provide them with fully funded treatment in government psychiatric hospitals. We stay involved in their care during their hospital stay and provide shelter after discharge. Our multidisciplinary team provide rehabilitation support and interventions during their stay with us, helping them with their recovery. They are empowered and enabled for a brighter future whilst we continue to fund and supply their medications and provide daily needs. Our greatest joy is when they reconnect with families following recovery.
Dr Odesanya believes that "we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them, that we should be zealous for good works." He also believes in "loving his neighbor as himself," a core value for promoting humanity that ought to be adopted by all people to make this world a better place.
He is committing his retirement to helping the abandoned, helpless, hopeless and vulnerable due to severe mental illness and homelessness in the society.
Be Part of
the Solution
As a non-profit NGO, we rely entirely on the generosity of well-meaning individuals and businesses, local and abroad. Every person who joins us makes a direct impact.
Make a Donation
No one should be denied care because they can't afford it.
At MindBridge Shelter and Support Network, we cover the full cost of mental health treatment, shelter, and recovery support—so individuals can focus on healing and rebuilding their lives.
Your donation makes this possible.
Every contribution removes a barrier and restores hope.
💙 Give today. Change a life.
#MindBridge #RestoreHope #EndHomelessness #MentalHealthMatters
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Whether you need support for someone in crisis, want to refer someone, volunteer, donate, or partner with us — every message is heard. Every need matters.
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