By Christy Anyanwu
Idowu Rashidat Adeyemo is a mental health advocate, researcher, and social worker with a passion for transforming how we think about care, especially for underserved communities.
With a Master of Social Work degree from Ohio University, United States and experience working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, Idowu brings a trauma-informed lens and a commitment to community-centred care to her work. In this interview, Idowu shares her insights on a range of topics-related to mental health.
Briefly explain your strong suits.
I’m a mental health advocate, researcher, and social worker. I recently completed my Master of Social Work at Ohio University. My journey has taken me from Lagos, Nigeria to Ohio in the United States, with experiences in both academic research and direct clinical practice, particularly with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma.
I would say my strongest suits are my trauma-informed lens, my ability to bridge research with real-world impact, and my commitment to community-centred care. I am always thinking about how to make systems more equitable, and evidence-based.
I have also had the opportunity to serve on student committees, grant review panels, and advisory boards. The combine varied experience has sharpened my ability to analyze programs, listen to diverse voices, and advocate for meaningful change. For me it’s all about transforming how we think about care, especially for underserved communities.
Oftentimes people think that the mentally-ill are the very dirty, half-naked individuals walking about with years-old, twisted, kinky hair and muttering. Please briefly explain the proper perspective on mental ill-health.
Unfortunately, that image is still very common in parts of Nigeria, and it reinforces a harmful and narrow view of mental illness. That stereotype is something I’ve encountered a lot, and it’s one of the biggest misconceptions we need to challenge. Mental illness doesn’t always look like someone wandering the streets or visibly distressed. In reality, many people living with mental health conditions are functioning. They go work, attend school care for their families, while silently battling anxiety, depression, trauma, or burnout.
Mental ill-health exists on a spectrum. It can range from mild emotional distress to more severe psychiatric conditions. But no matter where someone falls on that spectrum, mental illness is a health condition, just like diabetes or hypertension, and it deserves the same compassion, support, and professional care.
One of the most important things we can do is shift the narrative from shame to support. Mental health struggles are not a moral failure or spiritual weakness. They’re human experiences, and they can happen to anyone. We need to normalize conversations around mental health and create environments where people feel safe seeking help without fear of stigma.
In what situations or circumstances can intimate partner violence (IPV) fit into the definition of mental ill-health? Please explain in some detail.
Intimate partner violence can be both a cause and a consequence of mental ill-health. My research study on IPV among married couples in Lagos explored how psychological and emotional abuse can erode a person’s sense of self, safety, and stability over time.
When someone is constantly belittled, threatened, isolated, or manipulated by a partner, it often leaves deep psychological wounds. Chronic exposure to this kind of trauma can lead to anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. In those cases, the impact of IPV fits squarely within the definition of mental ill-health.
There’s also a cyclical dimension to it. People experiencing mental health issues may find themselves more vulnerable to abusive relationships, especially if they lack strong support systems. And those living in violent or controlling relationships may avoid seeking mental health care due to fear or stigma, which compounds the harm. It is important that we recognize emotional and psychological violence as a serious concern and respond to it with trauma-informed care. Survivors often need mental health support and social services to begin healing.
Global economic realities are putting increasing pressures on couples as they struggle to meet family needs. What advice can you offer couples on strategies for coping and maintaining healthy work-life balance that enhances mental health?
When I was at the University of Lagos, my research was on how married women manage work-life balance. That experience really opened my eyes to the emotional labor and mental health toll that economic pressure can create within households.
One of the first things I encourage couples to do is communicate openly about emotional needs. Financial hardship can cause tension, but it becomes even harder to cope when couples shut down or start to see each other as opponents instead of partners.
Other strategies include setting realistic boundaries between work and personal time; and normalizing help-seeking behaviors. Most importantly, give each other grace and recognize that partnership means facing pressures together.
Based on your knowledge about mental health, paint a picture of what social workers do.
Social workers wear many hats. We are advocates, listeners, connectors, and problem-solvers. We work to support people in schools, hospitals, correctional centers, and various community settings. In my own journey, I have supported children and adolescents navigating trauma, worked with families in conflict, and partnered with schools and clinics to build more compassionate systems.
A big part of our job is to link people to resources. This includes supports like counseling, housing, legal aid, or food assistance. We also help people build coping skills, process grief or abuse, and regain a sense of agency over their lives.
And on a systems level, many social workers work to influence policies that affect mental health, poverty, education, and justice. We advocate for systems that are fair, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive.
What strategies can social workers adopt to avoid and deal with burn-out?
That’s a good question. I recently conducted a research study on the relationship between burnout and job satisfaction among therapists. Burnout is common in our field because social workers often carry emotional weight from the trauma and crises we witness. The first strategy I always recommend is setting clear emotional and professional boundaries. It’s okay to care deeply and still protect your own mental space. We can’t pour from an empty cup.
The next strategy is regular supervision and peer support. I have benefited greatly from reflective supervision and check-ins with colleagues. Just having space to debrief without judgment can reduce emotional fatigue.
Finally, is about doing meaningful work in balanced doses. Staying connected to your purpose is a buffer. For me, knowing that I am contributing to trauma recovery and equity keeps me grounded. But I have learned that to sustain that passion, I need to rest. Social workers should advocate for manageable caseloads and supportive leadership because no amount of mindfulness can fix the structural causes of burnout. Lastly, as a social worker, never hesitate to seek therapy yourself.
Transitioning into adolescence, particularly for girls, comes with critical challenges. What are the mental health implications? What advice can you offer young people to enable them to navigate the process?
Adolescence is a complex time for any young person. During this phase, many adolescents face body image issues, peer pressure, gender expectations, and sometimes early exposure to emotional or sexual trauma. In my work, both in Lagos and Ohio, I have seen these pressures manifest as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or even self-harming behaviors if they’re not acknowledged and supported early.
One of the most important things for a young person to know is: your feelings are valid, and you are not alone. Adolescence is a time to discover your voice. It’s okay to ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. The best thing for any young person to do is to find safe spaces and trusted adults who listen without judgment. That can make all the difference.
Beyond your core academic endeavours and engagements, in what other ways have you deployed time and expertise to support activities or initiatives that benefit society, particularly young people?
I do a lot. I have volunteered with organizations like The American Red Cross and Irelief in Nigeria, where I worked directly with displaced children, providing hygiene education, advocating for child empowerment, and distributing relief materials. These moments reinforced the importance of meeting young people’s basic needs as a foundation for their mental and emotional well-being.
I also had the opportunity to review the Peer Supporter Course for MHAPY – a prominent mental health start up in Canada, ensuring it reflected best practices in youth mental health support.
In Ohio, I have taken on leadership roles that influence policy and student engagement, such as serving on the MSW Committee and the College of Health Sciences’ Student Advisory Council. Through these roles, I have helped evaluate and improve academic and support systems that ultimately shape how future social workers are trained to serve youth. I regularly judge science fairs or speech tournaments and do so much more. I see every engagement as a chance to affirm young people’s voices and spark their confidence. Sometimes the most powerful intervention is simply creating a space where a young person feels seen, heard, and valued.
How do you unwind and recharge your batteries – so to say?
I have learned to be intentional about rest so I can continue showing up fully. I love to take quiet walks, especially in nature. It helps me clear my mind and reconnect with myself. I also enjoy journaling – which is how I process my thoughts and release emotional tension. Sometimes, just putting pen to paper helps me make sense of the day.
Spending time with loved ones is another big one – laughter, shared meals and even just sitting in silence with people who know me. These things ground me. I also unwind by listening to music or reading books that have nothing to do with research or mental health!
How do you create a cocoon of peace in your free time and what do you do in it?
I like the term “cocoon of peace”. I am stealing it. For me, that cocoon starts with just stepping away from the noise, even for a short while. Sometimes I just sit and breathe, sometimes I journal or read something comforting. It’s less about doing and more about being present with myself.
Apart from academic stuff, what sort of books do you read for leisure?
Outside of academic reading, I enjoy books that speak to the human experience in honest ways. I find myself drawn to memoirs. I also enjoy African literature. Writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Buchi Emecheta have a special place in my heart because they tell stories that feel close to home. But at the end of the day, if a book can offer me insight, comfort, or even just a good laugh, I’m interested.
For you, is cooking a pleasure or necessary drudgery?
Cooking is definitely a pleasure most of the time. It’s one of the few activities that pull me completely into the present moment. I enjoy the rhythm of it. The chopping and the stirring feel therapeutic, especially when I’m cooking without rushing. Cooking also reminds me of home in Nigeria and I enjoy
What is your definition of true leadership?
True leaders listen before they speak. They lead with compassion, not ego, and they create space for others to grow. I believe leadership is also about consistency. It is about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, and being accountable for both successes and mistakes. The most powerful leaders are the ones who model humility by being willing to learn.