Today we’d like to introduce you to Oluwatabi Adeleke.
Hi Oluwatabi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into mental health advocacy is deeply personal. I migrated from Nigeria with dreams of building a better life, but like many immigrants, that transition came with its own emotional and psychological challenges. Growing up, I saw firsthand how mental health issues affected members of my family, yet these struggles were rarely acknowledged or addressed. In the African community, mental health is often stigmatized, misunderstood, or brushed aside, and I learned early on how silence can deepen pain.
My passion for mental health became even more personal after the birth of my children, when I struggled with postpartum depression. It was an isolating experience, one where I felt the weight of cultural expectations to “be strong” while silently battling something I didn’t fully understand at the time. That season changed me. It pushed me to seek knowledge, healing, and support, and it opened my eyes to how many others were suffering quietly, just like I was.
What started as a personal need to heal grew into a purpose to help others. I began educating myself, having difficult conversations, and creating space for openness around mental health, especially within communities where these discussions are often avoided. Today, my work is driven by love, lived experience, and a deep desire to break stigma, raise awareness, and ensure that others don’t feel alone in their struggles. This journey has shaped who I am and continues to motivate me to do more, serve more, and advocate louder.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey into starting Leading Edge Behavioural Health and Services has not been smooth, especially as a mental health nurse practitioner and practice owner. Professionally, one of the biggest challenges has been balancing clinical care with the demands of running a practice. Providing quality, compassionate mental health care while managing administrative responsibilities, compliance, insurance complexities, and financial sustainability has often felt overwhelming.
As an immigrant and woman of color, I have also faced challenges being taken seriously in professional spaces. There have been moments of having to work harder to establish credibility, advocate for myself, and navigate systems that were not designed with people like me in mind. Building trust both with patients and within the broader healthcare system took time, consistency, and resilience.
Another significant struggle has been addressing stigma, particularly among minorities and African communities. Many patients come in hesitant, fearful, or unsure about mental health treatment. Educating patients and families while also providing care requires patience and emotional labor, especially when cultural beliefs conflict with clinical understanding.
Despite these challenges, each struggle has strengthened my leadership, sharpened my clinical skills, and deepened my empathy. Owning a practice has allowed me to create a safe, culturally responsive space where patients feel seen and heard. While the road has been demanding, it has been incredibly meaningful and continues to affirm why I chose this path.
We’ve been impressed with LEADING EDGE BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH & SERVICES, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Leading Edge Behavioral Health and Services provides compassionate, comprehensive mental health care for patients aged 6 and older. We specialize in mental health conditions such as ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, schizophrenia, as well as substance use and co-occurring disorders.
What sets us apart is our culturally informed, patient-centered approach creating a safe space where stigma is challenged, and every patient feels seen, heard, and supported. We also use tools like genetic testing to personalize treatment and improve outcomes.
I’m most proud of the trust and hope our brand represents: a place where mental health is normalized, care is tailored, and healing is possible for everyone.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was naturally observant, empathetic, and curious about people. I was the kind of person who noticed when others were struggling, even when they didn’t say it out loud. I often found myself listening, offering comfort, or trying to understand why people behaved the way they did. That curiosity about the human mind started early, even before I had the language to describe it.
I was also driven and responsible from a young age, shaped by family expectations and cultural values that emphasized resilience and perseverance. At the same time, I carried a quiet sensitivity, which made me deeply aware of emotional dynamics around me. My interests leaned toward helping roles—I was drawn to conversations, learning, and anything that allowed me to support or uplift others. Looking back, those early traits laid the foundation for the work I do today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leadingedgebehavioural.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadingedgebehavioural/
