Resilience rise: Dr Emmanuel Ahmadu advancing mental health awareness, support in Northeast Ohio

Meet Dr. Emmanuel Ahmadu, a Nigerian-born mental health expert and advocate, making a powerful impact in Northeast Ohio through his innovative Resilience Rise Mental Health Initiative. Launched in 2024, the initiative addresses the growing mental health crisis among adolescents and young adults, particularly focusing on depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention in underserved communities.

Mental health is an important aspect of human well-being, influencing how individuals cope with stress, interact socially, and make everyday decisions. When left unaddressed, especially in marginalized or high-risk populations, mental health challenges can result in academic setbacks, substance misuse, chronic illnesses, and cycles of poverty or violence. By prioritizing prevention and access to care, communities can break these cycles and create healthier environments where individuals, particularly youth, can flourish emotionally and socially. This is exactly what Dr. Ahmadu and his Resilience Rise initiative stands for.

The Resilience Rise Initiative has become a beacon of hope across schools, faith centers, and community spaces in Ohio, by promoting trauma-informed care and emotional wellness. Through a series of healing-centered outreach events, empowerment workshops, and peer-led forums, the campaign has reached diverse audiences and fostered meaningful dialogue around mental health.

Through Resilience Rise, I have spearheaded several landmark events, including one held earlier this year at the historic Karamu House in Cleveland. This event convened families and mental health professionals for a day of interactive healing sessions, expressive arts, and community support, Dr. Ahmadu states. Another notable initiative, “The Empowerment Train,” converted informal public spaces into safe environments for mental health dialogue, fostering healing through shared experiences and community engagement.

In partnership with key organizations in Ohio, Dr. Ahmadu’s “Resilience Rise” has advanced programs aimed at youth empowerment, goal setting, and emotional resilience—helping participants build stronger coping skills and connect with mental health resources.

For his culturally attuned and grassroots approach, Dr. Ahmadu was recently honored with the 2025 Valeria Harper Cultural Competence in Mental Health Award by NAMI Greater Cleveland. This recognition underscores his dedication to inclusive, community-driven mental health care.

With over a decade of advocacy experience spanning Nigeria and the United States, Dr. Ahmadu continues to champion mental health equity. His work is redefining how communities respond to trauma and emotional distress, building what he calls “emotional safety nets” to protect the most vulnerable.

“We are not just raising awareness,” Dr. Ahmadu said. “We are creating spaces where healing can begin and hope can thrive.”

As the mental health crisis persists, Resilience Rise stands as a powerful example of how culturally grounded, grassroots leadership can inspire systemic change.