By Emmanuel Okogba

Mrs. Oladimeji Bukola is a nurse educator, researcher, and community mental health advocate whose work spans Nigeria, Canada, and beyond. She founded Peramind Health and Education Society to address mental health stigma, strengthen education, and promote equity-driven advocacy. The organization focuses on awareness, mentorship, and culturally responsive initiatives, creating safe spaces for dialogue and supporting nursing students and internationally trained professionals. Despite challenges such as funding and systemic barriers, she tells us how Peramind has made a meaningful impact through community engagement, mentorship, and advocacy. Excerpt

Who is Mrs. Oladimeji Bukola?

I am a nurse educator, researcher, and community mental health advocate committed to advancing education and health equity across communities in Nigeria, Canada, and globally. My work is shaped by both lived experience and professional practice. As a Black woman, I understand the intersection of culture, race, socioeconomic status, migration, and health, and I use this perspective to bridge gaps in access, knowledge, and care.

Through my work in nursing education, research, and community leadership, I am dedicated to improving health outcomes while restoring dignity, building capacity, and creating opportunities for underserved populations and the next generation of nurses.

What inspired you to establish this NGO?

Peramind Health and Education Society was born out of both lived experience and urgency. Mental health remains under-addressed globally, and in many communities, particularly across Africa and among immigrant populations, stigma continues to silence important conversations.

As a nurse and educator, I observed how mental health, education, and social conditions are deeply interconnected but often addressed separately. I also recognized the need for culturally relevant support systems and mentorship pathways, especially for nursing students and internationally trained professionals. Peramind was created to provide safe spaces for dialogue, improve access to knowledge and resources, and support both communities and future healthcare professionals.

What are the core focus areas of the organization?

Our work is grounded in three key pillars:

• Advancing mental health awareness and support by promoting mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and creating culturally affirming spaces 

• Strengthening education and mentorship through training and support for nursing students, internationally educated health professionals, and underserved communities 

• Promoting equity-driven advocacy and culturally responsive initiatives through community-engaged programs and partnerships.

We focus not only on addressing immediate needs but also on building sustainable systems that strengthen communities.

What impact has the organization made so far?

Although still growing, our impact has been meaningful. We have created safe spaces where individuals, particularly Black women navigating migration stressors and women’s health challenges, can share experiences and access support without stigma.

We have organized community engagement sessions, including discussions on perimenopause and mental health, bringing attention to often overlooked issues. We have also supported nursing students in Nigeria financially and provided mentorship to internationally educated nurses in Canada, strengthening their academic and professional journeys.

In addition, we are building a growing network of volunteers and collaborators across Canada and internationally, expanding our reach and impact.

What challenges do NGOs like yours face?

Like many nonprofits, we face challenges related to sustainable funding, rising operational costs, and the need to scale impact with limited resources. Mental health stigma remains a significant barrier, particularly in culturally diverse communities.

There are also systemic and policy gaps that make it difficult to implement large-scale, culturally responsive interventions. Despite these challenges, our commitment to equity and community impact remains strong.

What role can the government and private sector play in supporting your mission?

Government and private sector support are essential. Governments can strengthen policies, increase funding for mental health services, and integrate mental health into primary healthcare systems and community programs.

The private sector can contribute through partnerships, funding, and corporate social responsibility initiatives, including support for education and mentorship programs for healthcare professionals. Collaboration across sectors is critical to building sustainable and equitable health systems.

What are your future plans for Peramind Health and Education Society?

Our future plans are local and global, recognizing that specific contexts have different needs and require tailored approaches.

In Nigeria, we aim to expand community-based mental health programs, strengthen partnerships with nursing schools, and develop structured mentorship and scholarship opportunities for nursing students. We are also working toward creating culturally relevant mental health education programs and scalable community interventions that improve access to care.

In Canada, we will continue to support Black immigrant communities and internationally educated nurses through mentorship, education, and community engagement.

Across both contexts, we aim to build a global network of nursing scholars and practitioners, develop digital platforms to increase access to mental health support, and translate community insights into research and policy that drive equitable health outcomes.

Final message to the public

Mental health is essential to overall well-being. No one should suffer in silence, and no community should be left behind.

We must normalize conversations, challenge stigma, and invest in systems that support both individuals and the professionals who care for them. I am especially passionate about supporting nursing students and emerging healthcare leaders because they are central to the future of our health systems.

My message is simple. Your voice matters, your experiences are valid, and together we can build a more equitable, compassionate, and inclusive world.