AWEC's Impact on Dr. May:

Catalyst for Mental Health Advancement

Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, widely known as "The celebrity shrink," is a highly-acclaimed neuro-psychiatrist, mental health advocate, and AWEC Cohort 4 alumna. In a candid discussion with AWEC, Dr. May delved into her mission to establish Pinnacle Medical Services, a mental health-focused institution in Nigeria. She shed light on the stigma associated with mental health, saying, "People want a place where the stigma is reduced. They don't want people to know about what is happening to them."

Dr. May is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment while balancing entrepreneurship, and acknowledging its demanding nature. It led to the establishment of Pinnacle Medical Services, a health and wellness center specializing in mental health. She expanded her impact by forming Pinnacle Media Agency with an aim to reduce misinformation in healthcare.

A significant milestone she’s achieved is the "HOW BODI" telemedicine app, an innovative telehealth service in Africa that enables direct access to therapists. Dr. May's commitment to holistic mental health solutions is evident through her diverse array of products, including books, conversation card games, and resources for children, all aimed at reducing misinformation.

To meet the growing demand, she became a Google Scholar and secured a government grant through YouWin. Pinnacle Medical Services' success hinges on comprehensive mental health solutions, reducing stigma, and nurturing environments. Multiple subsidiaries have expanded their services across Nigeria, with the Employee Assistance Program playing a pivotal role in supporting professionals dealing with personal challenges and workplace stress. Dr. May's journey exemplifies the transformative power of determination and entrepreneurship in addressing mental health needs. As she aptly puts it, "HOW BODI is the most innovative mental app in Africa. It does not just ask you questions; you can actually call up a therapist and get the help you need."

Celluloid Crusader: Shattering Mental Health Stigma through Film

Dr. May is committed to overcoming societal stigma and addressing crucial mental health needs. She emphasizes, "It's essential to reduce the stigma around mental health and make services accessible to all."

A passionate advocate for mental health and an accomplished filmmaker, Dr. May, known for her award-winning movies, Pepper Soup and Little Drops of Happy, firmly believes in the power of storytelling and the medium of film to create meaningful change. She shared her journey and motivation for entering the field of mental health, stating, "My journey began when my short film, 'Pepper Soup,' unexpectedly led me to a program in the US Embassy focused on substance abuse and prevention. This experience ignited my desire to create awareness and help people understand the impact of mental health issues on individuals and communities."

As the founder of Pinnacle Health Radio, Dr. May and her team are dedicated to normalizing conversations about mental health and cultivating a culture of compassion. She stresses, "In a region where mental health is often stigmatized and overlooked, we provide a range of mental health services, from therapy and counseling to public awareness campaigns and advocacy."

Pepper Soup is a powerful cinematic exploration the emotional struggles that individuals face. The movies follows the normal life of a celebrity/professional and his eventual misbehavior further revealing how people are subject to substance abuse from eating at random public places.

Little Drops of Happy, another of Dr. May's celebrated films, 'Mano Ojo has to deal with the infidelity of her ‘actor’ husband . This leads to a series of challenges she has to confront and overcome. The challenges become too overwhelming to the extent that she loses her poise . She is misunderstood and termed mentally deranged. Nevertheless, Mano in the midst of her chaotic experience has to save, not just herself , but her estranged husband as well, from his promiscuous stance.'

Dr. May offers practical tips for individuals to improve their mental health and encourages seeking help when necessary, saying, "Self-care is not selfish; it's necessary for maintaining good mental health."

Dr. May's Journey through AWEC: Lessons in Collaboration and Personal Growth

Initially, Dr. May was hesitant about AWEC. "In retrospect," she recalls, "I had my doubts about applying for AWEC. I wasn't sure if I wanted to invest my time in the program, as I initially believed I needed funding to grow my business. I was focused on building my empire and thought AWEC might not align with my financial goals." It was an accountability partner who had completed the AWEC program that continually encouraged her to apply. Eventually, her partner's persistence led to Dr. May taking the leap and becoming part of the AWEC community.

One of the standout elements of Dr. May's AWEC journey was the live sessions. She stressed the importance of not missing these sessions for any reason. "For me, what I love most in AWEC was those live sessions. I tell people not to miss the live sessions for anything. It may be one hour, but it is so interesting because the team knows how to bring in people that would just inspire while giving us the right language and the information that we need." In order to get the most out of the Live Session, Dr. May says, "In these sessions, I established a tradition of tagging speakers with a hashtag of the day as a gesture of appreciation, emphasizing the value of the content they shared, this helped me stay focused and engaged.”

The assignments within the AWEC program were another essential aspect of her journey. "And of course, the assignments, people said the assignments were hectic. They were voluminous. Trust me, those assignments were eye-opening. Some of the things I'm doing now are from the AWEC platform. I often find myself going back to them."

"My AWEC journey extended far beyond the program's educational aspects. The connections and relationships formed with fellow entrepreneurs were incredibly significant to me. The sense of community and mutual support within our group were absolutely priceless. Despite our limited in-person interactions, with only a select few participants, we managed to sustain a vibrant WhatsApp group with nearly 600 members. This digital community served as an invaluable platform for sharing experiences and cultivating meaningful connections."

Expanding Horizons Beyond Pinnacle Medical Services

Dr. May spoke about her plans for the future, including her goal to step back from the CEO role at her organization, Pinnacle Medical Services. She aims to find a CEO and explore opportunities for partnerships to expand the business. She is also working on transforming her work into a movie documentary and launching a recycling business to turn medical waste into useful products.

In summary, Dr. May emphasized that joining AWEC was one of the best decisions she has ever made. It has not only influenced her business approach but has also empowered her to actively contribute to its development. Her journey through AWEC underscores the power of collaboration, shared experiences, and the enduring connections forged within the program. Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri's story is an inspiring testament to the potential of women entrepreneurs in Africa and the transformative impact of AWEC.