TikTok Appoints Nigerian Doctor, Others as Mental Health Ambassadors

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Popular social media platform, TikTok, has joined the campaign to address digital harms through innovation, collaboration, and empathy, with the aim to create responsible online environments for African users, and has appointed a few medical practitioners as its ambassadors.

The company recently held an inaugural programme tagged Digital Well-being Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together policymakers, mental health experts, NGOs, and industry leaders across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Delegates from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and beyond gathered to further strengthen efforts to support and protect community well-being on the platform.

The summit provided a platform for open dialogue on enhancing online safety tools, promoting digital literacy and access to experts, fostering a balanced online environment.

A comprehensive suite of new tools and partnerships were introduced, including the expansion of TikTok’s global $2.3 million mental health fund to Sub-Saharan Africa, expanded local in-app helplines, and an industry-first meditation feature for all TikTok users.

With this expansion, three Sub-Saharan African organisations have been selected as inaugural regional recipients, including the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative, and Kenya’s Mental360.

These organisations will receive funding and platform support to develop locally relevant, evidence-based content that raises awareness, reduces stigma, and encourages open dialogue around mental health in African communities.

The event also spotlighted ongoing efforts such as TikTok’s #MentalHealthMatters campaign, which continues to promote positive mental health practices across the globe. Together, these actions are designed to support balanced digital habits, providing communities with access to reliable information.

As part of its commitment to empowering users to manage their online experience, TikTok has introduced a guided meditation experience in Sleep Hours – an in-app well-being experience automatically enabled at 22:00 for all users under the age of 18. Anyone above this age can choose to turn it on. This feature, the first of its kind in the industry, was piloted in March 2025 and is available worldwide.

As part of its ongoing partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), TikTok has officially introduced its new Mental Health Ambassadors, a diverse group of verified healthcare professionals from the WHO Fides Network.

The inaugural cohort of Mental Health Ambassadors includes Sanam Naran from South Africa, Dr Claire Kinuthia from Kenya, Doctor Wales from Nigeria, and Doctor Siya from South Africa.

Speaking, TikTok Global Head of Trust and Safety Outreach and Partnerships, Valiant Richey, said, “People come to TikTok to learn, share their experiences, and connect with communities around the world. That’s why we’re proud to introduce tools that not only support digital wellbeing, but also empower our community, especially young users, with a safe, supportive space to explore and navigate complex emotions.”

Also, the Minister of Basic Education in South Africa, Siviwe Gwarube, said, “We commend the private sector’s efforts to foster digital literacy and create a safer online environment for all. Such efforts reflect the government and the private sector’s collective responsibility to inspire creativity, empower communities, and connect young people to the digital world.”