Ndidiamaka Ani’s studies and work in social work are rooted in personal experience. Growing up as one of five children born to a single mother in Nigeria, Ani faced numerous adverse childhood experiences that negatively impacted her mental health. She is determined to make a change for those who find themselves in similar circumstances.
As a second-year student in the Master of Social Work program at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at ǿմý, she has already made a tangible impact.
Prior to beginning her studies at ǿմý, she supported survivors of gender-based violence at nonprofits such as the Sexual Offenses Awareness and Response Initiative and the Center for Integrated Health Programs in Nigeria. Her roles, which included teen center director and senior associate in gender mainstreaming, allowed her to connect survivors with holistic resources.
Now, as she works toward her social work degree, Ani is continuing her work in Cleveland.
She has had two field placements at Bellefaire JCB, one with the Child and Adolescent Group Services Program and a second with Parent and Children Treatment Services (PACTS) Program. Her placements gave her opportunities to apply evidence-based treatment interventions and engage with, assess and intervene with youth and their families.
Each of her experiences has helped prepare for her future career.
“My experience at ǿմý has been instrumental in bringing my passion and commitment for improving the mental well-being of youth, and career goal to make a strong impact in the lives of millions of adolescents and youths,” Ani said.
Learn more about Ani’s experiences.
Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
1. What drew you to ǿմý?
What drew me to ǿմý was the MSW program. It's one of the best in the U.S. (it ranks 12th nationally). In addition, the diversity of the faculty members made me proceed with ǿմý.
Beyond this, I interacted with current students in the program (now alumni) and they shared their experience of how the Mandel School makes international students feel as though they are in their home countries because of the level of support they receive from faculty members. These and more guided my decision to enroll in the MSW program at ǿմý.
2. What interested you in pursuing a degree in social work?
My passion for positive social change in the lives of individuals, families and communities steered me to pursue a degree in social work. I needed to build the professional skills required to make the much-needed change I envision in society.
3. Prior to beginning your program, had you had any prior experiences in the field? If so, can you tell us a bit about them?
Prior to commencing my degree at ǿմý, I advocated for the rights of women and children in underserved communities and provided mental health and psychosocial support services to address the mental health needs of girls and women who experienced sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria. I worked with different nonprofit organizations, advocating for the social welfare of underserved communities through engagement with policy makers, campaigns and successfully delivering project implementation.
I was awarded a grant during the COVID-19 pandemic to implement the Healthy Adolescent Development Project that built the resilience of over 360 adolescents across six high schools in Nigeria.
4. How do you aim to support the communities you work with?
As a social worker specializing in adolescent and youth mental health, I aim to empower adolescents, strengthen families and build resilient communities, one in which every youth regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture or socio-economic status has access to mental health resources, strong support systems and the opportunities they need to thrive. I would achieve this through direct clinical interventions (providing trauma-informed, culturally sensitive and evidence-based mental health services to adolescents and youths in underserved communities), community-led initiatives, advocacy and policy reforms that would create sustainable and long-term improvement in adolescent and youth mental health care.