Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation starts mushroom farming training with 2-day psychosocial event for skill center candidates
Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation starts mushroom farming training with 2-day psychosocial event for skill center candidates
The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation, in collaboration with Coli Mental Health Academy, launched a 6-week intensive mushroom farming training program for selected candidates on March 18, 2025, in Enugu. The program began with a 2-day psychosocial engagement and training session, designed to enhance participants' self-awareness, goal-setting, and decision-making skills, while introducing them to mushroom farming.
CURRICULUM
The training curriculum includes: Week 1 (2 days) - Mushroom Business and Psychosocial Awareness; Week 2 (2 days) - hands-on substrate formulation, pasteurization, and inoculation; Weeks 3-5 - follow-up activities; and Week 6 (1 day) - fruiting room experience and trainee evaluation. Starter packs will be provided to participants to kickstart their mushroom farming ventures, fostering economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
AIM
Reverend Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, Executive Director of Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation and COLI Mental Health Academy, emphasized that the initiative aims to empower vulnerable individuals, offering financial independence and positive pathways to become societal assets. The program targets at least 20 participants, both male and female, through a hybrid physical and virtual format.
FOCUS
Skill Acquisition Centre Manager Michael Osiagor highlighted the program's focus on redirecting vulnerable individuals from crime and disorder, integrating psychosocial engagement to unlock participants' potential and address past challenges through cognitive behavioral training.