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The Deputy Chief Medical Officer-Clinical at the Ministry of Health (DCMO), Dr Mustapha Kabba, has underscored the growing impact of mental health challenges on academic performance, particularly among school-going pupils, and called for urgent and collective action.
Delivering the keynote address at the annual Speech Day and Prize-Giving Ceremony of the Prince of Wales School, Dr Kabba highlighted that stress, anxiety, and trauma-key mental health conditions-can significantly impair concentration, memory, and overall academic outcomes.
Citing global data from the World Health Organisation, he noted that over one billion people worldwide are grappling with mental health challenges, often without adequate support. He stressed that the burden is even heavier in low-resource settings, particularly across Africa.
“In Sierra Leone, approximately 15 per cent of the population is affected by mental health disorders,” Dr Kabba said, attributing the situation to a history of traumatic events, including the civil war, the Ebola outbreak, mudslides, and persistent poverty.
Addressing the theme, “Mental Health and its Impact on the Educational Sector in Sierra Leone,” Dr Kabba emphasised that academic success is not solely dependent on intellectual ability but also on mental well-being.
He warned that rising cases of drug abuse among young people, compounded by peer and family pressures, are worsening the situation. “What often begins as experimentation can quickly degenerate into addiction, undermining both education and future prospects,” he cautioned.
Dr. Kabba urged teachers and parents to pay close attention not only to students’ academic progress but also to their emotional and psychological health. He called for proactive measures in identifying and supporting students facing mental health difficulties, stressing that early intervention can be life-saving.
In a gesture that drew applause from both staff and students, Dr. Kabba-an alumnus of the school-announced a pledge to renovate and upgrade the institution’s science laboratory. He noted that modern laboratory facilities are essential for effective teaching and learning, enabling students to engage in practical scientific exploration and innovation.
“Enhancing laboratory infrastructure will not only improve academic performance but also inspire the next generation of professionals in medicine, engineering, and other scientific fields,” he concluded.
