MHP Show Foot Soldier: Bassey Ikpi

Meet Bassey Ikpi, mental health advocate

by Jamil Smith | MSNBC

The Siwe Project

Today, Melissa profiled Nigerian-born writer and poet Bassey Ikpi, who lives with Bipolar II disorder and has founded The Siwe Project -- a non-profit organization geared towards educating and increasing awareness of mental health issues, particularly amongst those of African descent worldwide. On July 2, Ikpi and The Siwe Project staged its first annual #NoShame Day, in which their website "host[ed] candid discussions about mental illness stigma, diagnoses, and treatment options."

The Siwe Project: Promoting Mental Health in Global Black Communities

The Siwe Project:

The Siwe Project is a global non-profit dedicated to promoting mental health awareness throughout the global black community. The goal of the organization is to widen the public dialogue regarding the lived experiences of people of African Descent with mental illness. By providing opportunities for dialogue and the uplifting of new narratives and discourse, The Siwe Project aims to encourage more people to seek treatment without shame.

The Siwe Project: "Choices"

Performer/Writer: Bassey Ikpi
Director: Pierre Bennu
Studio: Exit The Apple