SUCCEED Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Department of Clinical Psychology at the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) commemorated World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2024, in Makeni.

Before the commemoration, SUCCEED Sierra Leone on October 9 held radio talk shows in Makeni, raising awareness about mental health issues in Sierra Leone.

Representing SUCCEED, Amjata Bayoh and Andrew Sesay said on Hope FM 93.3 that this year’s celebration, which is themed “It’s time to prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,” aims to mobilize efforts in support of mental well-being in the country.

To further monumentalize World Mental Health Day, SUCCEED Sierra Leone on Thursday hosted an engagement with stakeholders, students and pupils at UniMak Auditorium.

Related News

In his address, the Mayor of Makeni City, Abubakar Kamara, stressed the importance of raising awareness about mental health issues in Sierra Leone, acknowledging the effort of SUCCEED in spreading the message.

Kamara further encouraged SUCCEED Sierra Leone to expand its outreach to more communities, especially to areas where mental illness has plundered youths.

Speaking at the celebration, the Registrar of the University of Makeni, Foday Augustine Bangura, emphasized the importance of the theme: “It’s time to prioritize Mental Health in the workplace,” highlighting some of the challenges workers are faced with in their workplaces that pose threat to their mental well-being.

The Keynote speaker, Dr. Jusu Mattia, a representative of Mental Health Psychiatric Hospital in Freetown, said productivity in both workplaces and homes cannot be achieved without mental well-being.

Adama Dumbuya, 18, told Sierraloaded that some time in the past mental health challenges took a toll on her performance in school.

“I remember one time when l had some challenges with my mental health. It was perhaps as a result of frustration, but it greatly affected my performance in class,” Dumbuya said. “I am afraid of anything that poses threat to my mental health.”