In Nigeria, mental health often takes a backseat to daily challenges, leaving many to silently endure their struggles with few, if any, safe spaces to share their emotions.
This gap inspired Kurotamunoye Briggs, Co-founder and CEO of Truthshare, to create a platform dedicated to helping people share their pain and find support — an idea born from his grief.
After his mother's death in 2018, Briggs struggled to find an outlet for his grief, highlighting a gap in Nigeria’s mental health services. Mental health issues remain taboo in the country, with one in four Nigerians affected but few seeking help due to stigma and cultural barriers.
"Apart from my late mum's story, I really wanted to create a platform where people going through things they’re scared to talk about, like rape, molestation, oppression, and so on, would feel free to express themselves. That’s when anonymity was introduced," Briggs adds.
A 2019 National Mental Health Survey revealed that 80% of Nigerians with mental health conditions lack access to care, exacerbated by a severe shortage of professionals; there are less than 300 psychiatrists for a population of over 200 million.
This gap inspired Briggs to start Truthshare, an anonymous platform for Nigerians to share their pain, find support, and connect with mental health professionals without fear of judgement.
Consequently, he reached out to his childhood friend, Fortune Bekee, an IT expert, and together they set out to build a platform that would offer Nigerians a safe, anonymous space to open up about their struggles.
The journey to building Truthshare wasn’t without its challenges. In January 2020, while the platform was still in development, Bekee was involved in a life-threatening accident that left him bedridden.
The physical pain was challenging enough, but it was the emotional isolation during his recovery that underscored the need for a platform that not only allowed people to share their pain but also connected them with others who truly understood.
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This experience reinforced his decision to join forces with Briggs. Truthshare is more than just a space to share stories, it’s about connections and empathy in a country where mental health challenges are often ignored.
What started as a personal way to cope with grief has grown into a crucial resource for mental health support, providing an anonymous outlet and a strong sense of community.
The co-founders: Driven by experience and empathy
With over a decade of business experience, Briggs is driven by a passion to solve problems and help others. He strongly believes in teamwork and fostering empathy within his team.
Bekee, a seasoned entrepreneur, previously founded Ikokuonline, a platform for buying car parts and ordering mechanics. Although he's no longer involved in its day-to-day operations, Ikokuonline continues to run successfully.
Truthshare officially launched in April 2021 after a year of building. Initially starting as a simple website, the founders quickly realised the need for a more structured platform as user feedback began pouring in.
In April 2024, it relaunched with a mobile app, further expanding its reach and accessibility. With a robust marketing push, Truthshare is now focused on raising awareness and growing its user base in Nigeria and across the African diaspora.
Truthshare: More than just a platform to vent
At the heart of Truthshare is its core mission: providing a safe, anonymous space for people to talk and be heard.
“Sometimes, what people need most is just someone to listen,” says Bekee.
The platform gives users access to trained listeners who provide a non-judgemental ear without offering advice or counselling. Available 24/7, these friendly listeners offer sessions starting at ₦500 ($0.30) for a chat and ₦1,000 ($0.60) for a longer call, ensuring no one has to face their struggles alone.
But Truthshare offers more than just listening. It also connects users with professional therapists, counsellors, and psychologists who provide affordable sessions via chat or call. This gives people private access to professional mental health support safely and conveniently.
It also offers a free suicide helpline for those in immediate crisis, ensuring no one has to face their darkest moments alone. This feature differentiates it from other mental healthtech platforms in Nigeria, including Blueroomcare and MyTherapist.ng, which do not offer free suicide helpline services.
In addition to one-on-one support, Truthshare offers a vibrant community through over ten chat rooms focused on topics like marriage, career advice, depression, and education. Users can share experiences, find support, and learn from one another, while professional moderators ensure the conversations remain respectful and helpful.
These spaces foster a sense of belonging, allowing users to connect with others who understand their struggles. Per the company, it’s a place for guidance and camaraderie.
Truthshare also produces podcasts that dive deeper into some of these stories, featuring professional counsellors and community members who offer valuable insights and advice.
"Everything we do is about making people feel seen, heard, and supported," explains Bekee. “Whether it’s through listening, connecting with professionals, or sharing personal stories, Truthshare strives to create an environment where mental health is nurtured and no one has to face their struggles alone.”
Truthshare is accessible on the web, Android, and iOS, allowing users to easily access counselling, connect with professionals, and share their stories across devices. Therapy sessions range from ₦5,000 ($2.98) to ₦25,000 ($11.00) per hour, but free services like chat rooms, story-sharing, and listening sessions ensure mental health support is available to all.
The company generates revenue by earning commissions on each counseling session booked through its platform. It gives therapists the freedom to set their own rates, while users can browse profiles to select a professional based on their qualifications, experience, and reviews. Payments are processed online, and users receive booking confirmations via email. Sessions can be held directly within the app or through Zoom/WhatsApp, based on the user's preference.
“We want to make mental health support affordable and accessible to everyone,” Bekee adds.
To onboard professionals, Truthshare follows a structured process. First, professionals must submit their personal information and complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification. Next, they will provide their professional certificates and relevant details, which will be carefully reviewed.
Following this, an interview will be conducted to assess their suitability. Finally, an induction session is held to ensure they understand and adhere to the Truthshare community rules and guidelines.
For enhanced privacy, in addition to password login, Bekee says Truthshare has implemented a PIN verification feature on the app, ensuring that only the account owner can access their secure space. "Moreover, our servers are protected by the latest security measures, providing an extra layer of protection for user data," he adds.
Looking ahead: Big goals and bold plans
With over 15,000 registered users and growing, Truthshare aims to reach one million users by early 2025. As part of its expansion, the company plans to implement targeted marketing strategies to raise awareness and encourage more people to use the platform for mental health support.
Bekee believes that once the marketing push gains momentum, Truthshare will be able to reach the people who need affordable, culturally relevant mental health services, such as the ₦500 listening sessions or the free suicide helpline. “These services have been well-received, and they are a big part of why people trust the platform,” Bekee says.
While Truthshare has faced challenges in its early days, including convincing mental health professionals to join the platform and overcoming scepticism about the affordability of its services, it has earned the trust of its users. Per Bekee, positive reviews and word-of-mouth referrals have been crucial in building credibility, especially as "the platform offers significantly cheaper services than international rates."
Despite its successes, the company is well aware that securing adequate funding remains a challenge, and scaling quickly is crucial to reaching more people in need.
In 2023, the platform secured ₦20 million in pre-seed funding and is now seeking $1 million in seed funding to expand its reach beyond Nigeria and into other African countries, including the diaspora.
However, the company’s long-term vision is steadfast: to break the stigma surrounding mental health in Africa and provide affordable, accessible support for everyone, regardless of financial situation. Truthshare aims to impact at least 1% of the population everywhere it operates, ultimately helping millions annually.
In Nigeria, this translates to a goal of reaching 1% of the population — roughly two million people — each year. To achieve this, Truthshare is exploring new revenue models and outreach initiatives that will help scale its services while ensuring its support remains life-changing for those who need it most.
Currently operating with a ten-person team, Trutshare's ambition is clear: it is committed to providing affordable therapy and fostering a supportive community for mental well-being.
With new features like a loyalty programme that rewards active users with points for free sessions, as well as plans to expand its services to rural areas and international markets, Truthshare says it's on track to make a lasting impact on the mental health landscape.
For Co-founders Briggs and Bekee, the journey is deeply personal, but it’s also about creating a platform that can truly help millions of people. By continuing to innovate and expand, Truthshare is positioning itself to be at the forefront of mental health tech in Nigeria and beyond. With more support, funding, and a growing user base, Truthshare is determined to help those who need it most — because everyone deserves a safe space to heal.
