About YAM
Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM)
Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) is a school-based mental health promotion and suicide prevention program delivered by certified instructors who are not part of the school staff to adolescents aged 13 to 17 in classroom settings. YAM provides a safe, non-judgmental environment where students can openly explore mental health topics through role-plays, student-led discussions, and guided reflection. The program encourages open dialogue and helps participants develop coping skills, resilience, mental health awareness, and confidence to seek support when needed.
YAM is an interactive universal prevention program delivered to all students rather than targeting only those identified as at risk. The program consists of five structured sessions delivered over three consecutive weeks and facilitated by trained YAM instructors. YAM is an evidence-based program that was originally developed in Europe to address rising youth suicide rates and has since been tested and implemented in several countries worldwide. In Nigeria, the Suicide Prevention Intervention for School Adolescents (SPREAD Study) is culturally adapting, implementing, and evaluating the Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) program for adolescents in schools. The program is being delivered following instructor training conducted by the YAM team from Sweden.
This implementation represents the first introduction of the YAM program in Nigeria and Africa, marking an important milestone in advancing school-based suicide prevention and adolescent mental health promotion on the continent. Schools and institutions interested in learning more about the YAM program or bringing it to their students are welcome to connect with our team. For inquiries, please email spreadstudy@gmail.com