On May 9th, 2025, Priscilla Ekwueme Eleje Empowerment Initiatives (PEEEI) kicked off its school-based mental health awareness series with an impactful session on “Dealing with Peer Pressure” at Model Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja.
With 80 senior secondary students (SS1 & SS2) and their teachers in attendance, the session was facilitated by Temitope Akala. This session marked the beginning of a series of mental health awareness initiatives aimed at equipping young people with the emotional strength and skills needed to make positive decisions despite the challenges of peer influence.
The discussion highlighted the two sides of peer pressure—positive, such as encouragement to study or pursue personal growth, and negative, such as pressure to use drugs, skip school, or engage in bullying. Students were equipped with practical tools to resist negative influence, including:
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Saying “no” with confidence
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Walking away from harmful situations
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Choosing supportive friendships
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Talking to trusted adults
Through engaging role-play and relatable examples, students were encouraged to reclaim their voice in the face of pressure. One memorable phrase that got a laugh—and stuck—was:
“I’d rather eat my mum’s jollof rice than do that!”
The session ended with a powerful affirmation that left a lasting impact:
“I choose to be myself. I am strong enough to say no. I will make choices that protect my future. I am not alone.”
Feedback from teachers praised the relevance and delivery of the session, noting its importance in shaping students’ mental and emotional resilience. PEEEI intends to build on this momentum through a series of sessions addressing substance abuse prevention, emotional intelligence, and self-esteem building across secondary schools in Abuja.
At PEEEI, we believe that every young person deserves the confidence and tools to say “no” when it matters most—because informed choices today shape stronger futures tomorrow.