By Amara Kargbo

The Safe Place International Youth Advocacy Network, a non-profit organization in Sierra Leone, has recently organized a seminar which is focused on minimizing drug abuse causing mental health issues among youth in Sierra Leone.

The seminar aimed at empowering the youth while promoting mental wellness for a sustainable development.

The program was held at the Freetown City Council Administration building in Freetown.

Madam Aglyn Tennisha Kamara, the Executive Director of the above organization, highlighted the importance of tackling these health-related issues and encouraged youth to engage experts on their problems for a better understanding and solutions.

She also showcased the organization’s successes in combating drug abuse and invited participants to ask questions for them to get deeper insights. She said they should be the ones acting “as agents of change in their communities; adding ” we urge you to actively engage experts and gain insights to effectively tackle these challenges,” she said.

Madam Kamara discussed the organization’s achievements in addressing the rampant drug abuse in Sierra Leone.

She was encouraging the attendees to engage health experts and collaborate on finding ways of eradicating the social menace.

She invited participants to ask questions to better equip them with knowledge that they would be able to effectively tackle mental health and drug abuse issues in their communities.

His Excellency Ambassador Simon MB, Secretarry General Mano river Union, highlighted the need for reliable data on youth demographics and challenges.

“Data gathering on various groups including school children and underprivileged communities unemployed is crucial for designing effective programs,” he said.

Ambassador MB emphasized the regional and global nature of youth issues.

“The Mano River Union is involved in the ‘Youth Connect Africa’ initiative to empower young people across the continent,” he said.

“This initiative is meant to invest on their [ youth participants] skills and experiences, providing opportunities for social and economic transformation.”

Angie Kolue Nynemah Lavela Von Ballmoos, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Liberia to Sierra Leone, highlighted the need for institutions to support women and children. “We advocate for government-funded daycare centers to assist working mothers and transformative policies that align with global standards,” she said.

She advocated for establishing supportive structures, such as government-funded daycare centers, to assist working mothers in balancing their responsibilities.

She emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in promoting women’s needs in policy-making, particularly in areas like maternity leave and equal pay.

She urged women to clearly define their personal space and roles to avoid negative impacts on their mental health.

Collaborative efforts from both women and governments are essential for community change, and so she advocated for better resources and support structures, particularly in the area of education.

Solomon Jamiru, a Legal Practitioner, expressed concern about the lack of legal protections for individuals with mental health conditions.

“We need a new mental health law that recognizes health status and ensures that their rights are being protected,” he said.

He advocated for the passage of a new mental health law in Sierra Leone that aligns with human rights standards, thus contrasting it with outdated legislation like the Lunacy Act of 1902, which allows arbitrary arrests of individuals who are deemed mentally ill.

He stressed the importance of robust legal frameworks to protect the rights of people with mental health conditions.

Ansu Konneh, Director of Mental Health Psychosocial Service, Ministry of Social Welfare, called for updated legislation and supportive workplace policies to address the needs of young people.

Dr. Afren Vandy of the World Health Organization outlined the efforts to support mental health policies and frameworks. “Collaboration with organizations like Safe Place International is vital to raising awareness and promoting youth’s well-beings,” she emphasized.

The seminar concluded with participants committing to advocate for institutional reforms and to empower women. Safe Place International Youth Advocacy Network says it is continuing on its efforts to addressing critical issues facing Sierra Leone’s youthful population, thereby fostering a positive change while ensuring mental wellness for future generations.