Thank you for your interest in contributing to the NMH Voices Blog!

We are dedicated to amplifying mental health stories, research, and lived experiences in Nigeria and the diaspora. We welcome pitches and contributions from a wide range of voices, including professionals, advocates, researchers, journalists, and people with lived experience.

Purpose of the Blog

  • Amplify mental health stories, research, and lived experience in Nigeria and the Diaspora.

  • Provide educational content on policy, stigma, access, reform, disability, and wellness.

  • Spotlight innovative practices, events, and community voices.

  • Serve as a reliable mental health hub for professionals, youth, and advocates.

Types of Blog Posts

  1. Opinion Pieces / Commentaries

    • Personal reflections, expert takes, or lived experience essays.

  2. Explainer Posts

    • Deep dives into the Mental Health Act, suicide decriminalization, access issues, etc.

  3. Policy & Advocacy

    • Campaign updates, NMH calls to action, or breakdowns of key reforms.

  4. Interviews / Spotlights

    • Featuring MH professionals, civil society leaders, youth advocates, etc.

  5. Event Recaps

    • Summaries of conferences, launches, and training with key takeaways.

  6. Success Stories / Case Studies

    • Highlights from communities or people impacted by your work

Word Count Guidelines

  1. Explainers & Policy

    Range: 800–1500; Note: Include data, links, and citations

  2. Commentaries & Opinions

    Range: 600–1000; Note: Strong personal or expert voice

  3. Spotlights / Interviews

    Range: 500–800; Note: Conversational, insightful

  4. Event Recaps

    Range: 500–700; Note: Clear, punchy, highlights focused

  5. Quick Posts / Updates

    Range: 300–500; Note: Short announcements or call-to-action

Style & Tone Guide

  • Voice: Professional but relatable, evidence-based but accessible.

  • Tone: Empathetic, respectful, and hopeful. Never alarmist or sensational.

  • Language: Clear and jargon-free. Define all technical terms.

  • Diversity: Reflect Nigeria’s voices — include youth, gender, regional, and faith diversity.

How to Contribute

To ensure your ideas align with our blog's mission, we primarily accept pitches rather than unsolicited full drafts.

Step 1: Pitch Your Idea

Please use our official submission form to pitch your article: https://forms.gle/1KQUpzyJHEyHCCjf8

Step 2: What Happens Next

  • Our Communications team will review your pitch and aim to respond within one to two weeks.

  • If your pitch is accepted, we will invite you to submit a full draft following our guidelines.

  • We reserve the right to make minor edits for clarity, flow, and house style. Any major edits will be discussed with you before publication.

Full Draft Submission Requirements

(This section is for writers whose pitches have been accepted)

Once your pitch has been accepted, please prepare and submit your full article following these guidelines:

  • Draft Format: Submit your draft as a Word Document (.docx) or a Google Doc.

  • Article Length: Adhere to the word count range agreed upon for your article type.

  • Author Information: Include your one-sentence bio at the top of the document. Attach a high-resolution headshot as a separate file.

  • Citations and Links: Embed hyperlinks for online sources directly in the text.

  • Images: If you have one to two relevant, high-resolution images, send them as separate files (JPG or PNG). Ensure you have the necessary rights or permissions and provide proper credits.

  • Sending Your Draft: Email your complete draft and any accompanying images to nigerianmentalhealth@gmail.com with the subject line: "NMH Voices Submission: [Your Article Title]"