About Us
A movement for emotional wellness.
Registered in Nigeria. Operational since 2007. Rooted in lived experience.
Overview
A registered NGO with
zero tolerance for depression.
Heartrose Care Foundation is a registered social-sector, not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), incorporated with Nigeria's Corporate Affairs Commission. Formerly known as Heartrose Resources, the Foundation has been operational since 2007 and was formally registered in November 2013.
Our central concern is combating depression — an emotional scourge ravaging every stratum of society, from cradle to grave. We operate with a zero tolerance for depression through education, counselling, school-based initiatives, and community volunteer training.
Vision
“A world without depression.”
Mission
“Promoting and restoring emotional wellness to the depressed through Education and therapeutic supports.”
Our History
The heart behind the Foundation.
Mrs. Esther Oyebola Adekoya is a writer, dramatist, poet, minister of God, bookseller, public speaker, certified social sector manager, and emotional health therapist. She is the driving force behind Heartrose Care Foundation.
The Foundation's origin is deeply personal. While writing her novel Precarious Fate — a story exploring negative emotions — she encountered depression as the root cause of much human suffering. As a survivor herself, Mrs. Adekoya channelled that experience into founding what would become a decade-long movement.
She has published multiple works under the Heartrose Series, several of which have been included in the official curricula of Lagos and Oyo State schools, extending her reach to thousands of young readers across Nigeria.
Mrs. Adekoya holds certification as a social sector manager and emotional health therapist, and continues to lead the Foundation's strategic growth, public advocacy, and therapeutic programme design.
"No one should have to face depression alone. Every conversation is a rescue."
Our Core Values
The 3 Es
E
Educate
We are committed to equipping individuals, families, schools, and communities with accurate knowledge about depression — its causes, warning signs, symptoms, and pathways to recovery. Through publications, school programmes, and public campaigns, we make mental health education accessible to all.
E
Enhance
We enhance the emotional and psychological resilience of the people we serve. Through counselling resources, skills-building workshops, and therapeutic tools like the Heartrose Counselling Cards, we strengthen individuals' capacity to manage their emotional health and thrive.
E
Emotional Empowerment
We empower individuals to take full ownership of their emotional wellbeing. By providing language, tools, and safe spaces to explore and express emotion, we help people move from silent suffering to confident self-awareness and active participation in their own healing.
The 3 Cs
C
Care
At the heart of everything we do is genuine, compassionate care for the depressed. We provide non-judgmental support through our volunteer counsellors, outreach programmes, and therapeutic resources — walking alongside individuals and communities in their journey toward healing.
C
Curb
We actively work to curb the growing epidemic of depression through early intervention, awareness campaigns, and structured school-based initiatives. By reaching people before depression takes hold, we reduce its incidence and lessen its devastating impact on individuals, families, and society.
C
Complement
We complement existing mental health systems — government healthcare, psychiatric services, faith communities, and schools — by filling the gaps at the community level. Heartrose does not duplicate; we extend. Our programmes and volunteers serve as a vital bridge between professional care and everyday life.
Board & Advisory
Board of Trustees
Mrs. Esther Oyebola Adekoya
President / Founder
Writer, Therapist & Public Speaker
Engineer Okeowo Oni
Board Chairman
Mrs. Olusola Otusajo
Board Secretary
Pastor Adekunle Adekoya
Board Member
Dr. Ninyo Omidiji
Psychiatrist
Advisory Board
Engineer Abiodun Oni
Advisory Board
Dr. Ninyo Omidiji
Psychiatrist
Dr. Funmi Akinola
Consultant Psychiatrist
Mrs. Debola Oni
Legal Adviser
Dr. Sebastine Okeke
CEO, Mastermind HRS Consulting
Mrs. Mosunmola Oloyede
Advisory Board
Program Spotlight
Heartrose Emotional Health Counselling Cards
The Heartrose Emotional Health Counselling Cards are an innovative therapeutic resource created by Mrs. Esther Oyebola Adekoya to bridge the gap between professional mental health support and everyday emotional wellness.
Each card in the deck contains carefully crafted prompts, reflection questions, and therapeutic conversation starters designed to help individuals identify, name, and process their emotions in a safe and guided way.
The cards are designed for use in a wide variety of settings:
- One-on-one counselling sessions with a trained therapist or volunteer counsellor
- Group therapy and support circle settings
- School classrooms and guidance counsellor offices
- Family and community discussions about mental health
- Self-guided emotional wellness journeys at home
The cards are particularly effective in Nigerian cultural contexts, using language and scenarios that resonate with local communities — making mental health conversations more accessible and less stigmatised.
Available for individuals, schools, counselling organisations, and community groups. Bulk orders available for educational institutions.
Enquire About the Cards