Champions of Change: Young People Overcoming Depression Through Group Therapy

Depression can quietly take young people away from school, work and the people who love them. In 2023, Plan International and Life Helpers Initiative brought Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Groups (IPT-G) to communities in Sokoto State. Trained facilitators screen young people with the PHQ questionnaire, bring them into small peer groups, visit their homes and follow up until they are well.

Mas'ud: from isolation to a tailor's bench

Mas'ud, 21, from Bodinga LGA, finished secondary school in 2018 but could not secure admission anywhere. He stopped talking to people and shut himself indoors. His facilitator introduced him to an IPT-G group; he resisted at first, but found comfort in the sessions, and singing and dancing with the group became his turning point. He is now active, happy and learning new sewing designs at work.

"Duk abin da aka ce ya kamata maki, ko kasance mai laushi." (Whatever you are told is right for you, be gentle with yourself.)

Babangida: back on the path to school

Babangida, from Toma ward, Bodinga LGA, lost his father during his first year at the School of Health in Sokoto and had to drop out when the family could no longer pay. Mocked by friends, he spent nights in tears. A friend referred him to an IPT-G group; the facilitator, Fahad, visited his home, and Babangida went on to volunteer to lead the group and learn to sew. He now plans to return to school and to start a group of his own for young people facing depression.

Halima: from darkness to light

Halima, 19, was sent from Zamfara to live with her uncle in Sokoto South LGA as insecurity grew at home. Cut off from her parents, she fell from a B student to failing grades and withdrew completely. One-on-one counselling helped her open up, and with support from her group mentor and uncle her parents moved to Sokoto. Reunited with her family, her results have recovered and she hopes to become a doctor.

"Ina so ka yi rayuwa! Kada ka yi kyau a damuwa…" (I want you to live! Don't let your troubles hold you down; people around you can help.)

Hadiza: triumph over trials

Hadiza, a young woman from Zamfara State, was sent to Sokoto because of insecurity, then carried a heavy family crisis alone and left school. After she took the PHQ-2 and joined a group, counselling and her facilitators helped her and her family through it. She learned hair braiding as a source of income, returned to school, set aside early-marriage plans and now dreams of becoming a lawyer or teacher.

"I have seen a sad-looking young lady turn into a joyful, active and skilful young lady." Her facilitator

Abubakar: breaking chains

Abubakar, from Magajin Gari ward, Sokoto South LGA, grew up with a widowed mother who worked as a cleaner for 17 years. He graduated from the College of Education, Sokoto, at 25, but broken promises left him in deep despair. In the IPT-G group he found "love, care and attention" he had never known, and now helps neighbours with errands to support his family.

"Sometimes you need other people's troubles to change you… don't be afraid of change; everything you do will help you." Abubakar's advice to other young men

From Helpers Digest, December 2023. Read it as a flipbook.