Date: December 3, 2025
Venue: EOC 2, Wilkinson Road, Freetown
The National Public Health Agency (NPHA), through its Mental Health Secretariat, has launched a groundbreaking initiative to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) systems across Sierra Leone. With funding secured, the agency is set to conduct a multisectoral mapping of MHPSS services in selected districts out of the country’s 16, laying the foundation for a more resilient and coordinated mental health response system.
The initiative was formally introduced at a validation meeting for the MHPSS Analysis Tool, hosted at EOC Wilkinson Road. The session brought together members of the Government-led MHPSS Technical Working Group (TWG), which includes representatives from various ministries, public institutions, NGOs, and community-based organizations.
Miss Rachael A. Kuyembeh, Public Relations Coordinator at NPHA, delivered the opening remarks. She welcomed participants with warmth and clarity, emphasizing that mental health is a cross-cutting issue that touches every sector and every life. She highlighted the importance of the day’s gathering as a pivotal step toward building a sustainable, inclusive MHPSS ecosystem services are available before, during, and after emergencies, crises, and disasters.
Dr. Carol Labor, Head of the Mental Health Secretariat and lead of the mapping initiative, provided an overview of the current landscape and her vision for Sierra Leone. She introduced the Four W's Framework: Who is doing What, Where, and until When, developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) in 2012 in collaboration with UN agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions. This framework will guide the mapping process to ensure clarity, coordination, and accountability across actors and services.
The MHPSS Analysis Tool, which was the focus of the day’s validation session, is designed to:
- Identify Gaps: Highlight underserved areas and populations
- Facilitate Coordination: Unite sectors for a stronger, integrated response
- Improve Access: Ensure individuals can find and receive care before, during, and after emergencies
The tool captures a comprehensive overview of resources, including:
- Mental health professionals and trained community workers
- Psychosocial support programs for vulnerable groups
- Emergency response protocols for mental health crises
- Referral pathways between health, education, and social sectors
Mr. Samuel Dugba, Director at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), addressed participants with a compelling message on the importance of MHPSS in workplace settings. He reflected on the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report following the civil war, emphasizing the need for healing and institutional memory. He challenged common misconceptions around gender, reminding the group that gender inclusivity must extend beyond women, and sparked a lively and insightful debate on paternal leave, which surfaced legitimate and diverse perspectives.
The session also included a practical group exercise where participants defined stress and identified its signs and symptoms. These included:
- Persistent fatigue
- Irritability or mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
- Physical complaints such as headaches or stomach pain
Dr. Carol Labor provided a clear definition of mental health, framing it as a state of well-being in which individuals realize their abilities, cope with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to their communities. She emphasized that understanding stress and its manifestations is essential for both prevention and response.
The meeting concluded with a collaborative review and refinement of the MHPSS Analysis Tool to ensure it meets the standards and expectations of the TWG. In her closing remarks, Dr. Carol Labor reminded participants:
“Mental health is not a luxury, it is a necessity. When we invest in it, we invest in the resilience, dignity, and future of our people.”
This initiative marks a significant stride toward integrating mental health into national systems and building a culture of care, preparedness, and recovery for all Sierra Leoneans.
Public Relations Unit
NPHA-SL