SUCCEED Sierra Leone commemorated World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2024, with an event at the University of Makeni. The gathering brought together students from the University of Makeni, Ernest Bai Koroma University, and senior secondary schools in Makeni.
Research Coordinator Amjata Bayoh highlighted that awareness efforts began a day earlier with radio appearances on Hope FM and Hamza Radio, aimed at promoting the theme, “It’s time to prioritize mental health in the workplace.”
Andrew Sesay, Uptake Manager for SUCCEED, detailed their outreach campaign, including simulcasts across local radio stations to communicate the theme in multiple languages, emphasizing the importance of mental health.
The SUCCEED initiative, which operates across four African countries under the supervision of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, focuses on mental health over a six-year period. Saidu Bangura, a student at the University of Makeni, expressed his appreciation for the insights shared at the event, calling for collective efforts to break down barriers to mental health support.
Veronica Kamara, Program Manager for SUCCEED Sierra Leone, expressed gratitude for the engagement and encouraged continued support for mental health promotion. Makeni Mayor Abubakar Kamara commended SUCCEED for raising awareness and urged broader outreach to more communities.
Keynote speaker Dr. Jusu Mattia from the Mental Health Psychiatric Hospital in Freetown stressed that productivity hinges on mental well-being, and workplaces should prioritize it equally with physical health. He encouraged attendees to advocate for mental health resources and to be ambassadors for mental well-being.
Dr. Rebecca Esliker, Principal Investigator for SUCCEED Sierra Leone, emphasized the need for a cultural shift in how mental health is perceived and supported, especially in the workplace. She called for collective action to ensure that mental health is prioritized in all areas of the community.
The event concluded with calls for open dialogue and support systems to combat stigma and foster a healthier, more supportive environment for mental health in Sierra Leone.
