Young Women Confront Trauma, Substance Abuse at Enugu Conference

Young women in Enugu have been encouraged to confront unresolved emotional wounds and avoid turning to drugs and alcohol as a way of coping with pain.

The call was made at The Single Ladies Conference held in Enugu under the theme “Inner Healing: Broken Yet Beautiful.” The conference brought together young women to discuss emotional trauma, relationships, self-worth, mental health and substance abuse.

The event was convened by Mary Chinda, an Arise News journalist and cognitive behavioural therapist, who shared her personal experience with depression and suicidal thoughts as part of her advocacy for mental health awareness.

Chinda said her own struggles exposed her to the limited support available to people experiencing mental health difficulties and motivated her to help other women seek assistance rather than suffer in silence.

The conference highlighted the different forms of trauma that young women may carry, including childhood sexual abuse, broken relationships, divorce, poverty, grief, rejection and the loss of loved ones.

Speakers stressed that although some emotional wounds may not be visible, their effects can influence relationships, decision-making and other aspects of a person’s life.

Chinda urged participants to recognise that their past experiences do not have to determine their future.

Beyond emotional support, she said her organisation, The StraightenedOut Woman Outreach, is working to provide educational scholarships to young women facing financial difficulties.

According to her, financial hardship can contribute to emotional distress and potentially expose vulnerable young women to harmful choices.

The conference also examined the growing concern around substance abuse among young women.

Keynote speaker David Folaranmi, an advocate for drug abuse awareness and drug policy reform, warned participants against using alcohol and other substances to escape emotional pain.

He identified relationship problems, poverty, peer pressure, curiosity and unresolved trauma among factors that could push young people towards substance use.

Folaranmi urged the participants to pay attention to their social circles, noting that peer influence can play a significant role in introducing young people to substance use.

His message, however, was also centred on recovery and hope, encouraging women who have experienced emotional wounds or substance-related challenges to seek help rather than give up.

According to Chinda, the initiative has previously taken its programmes to Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos, while the broader initiative began in England in 2017.

She said the programmes have reached more than 1,000 women and that plans are underway to expand to Bayelsa and Ghana later in 2026.

The organisers also run an online mentorship and discipleship programme for young women across Nigeria, aimed at providing continued guidance beyond the physical conferences.

The Enugu gathering ultimately sought to encourage young women to confront their experiences, seek appropriate support, build healthier relationships and make choices that promote their emotional and personal wellbeing.