The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, SUCCEED and Caritas Makeni, with support from the European Union, on Saturday, 10 October 2026, commemorated World Mental Health Day in Makeni, highlighting the importance of psychosocial support, recovery and inclusion for people experiencing mental health challenges.

The commemoration began with a march-past from the Caritas Makeni office on Teko Road to the University of Makeni (UniMak) Multipurpose Hall, where beneficiaries of IOM’s Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRRSSA), through its Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) initiative, joined project partners, university staff, representatives of the Bombali District Health Management Team and other invited guests to reflect on the significance of the day.

During the event, beneficiaries and individuals with lived experiences of mental health challenges shared their traumatic experiences and explained how interventions by IOM and its partners, particularly UniMak’s SUCCEED project and Caritas Makeni, had supported their recovery and reintegration into society.

They encouraged others facing similar difficulties not to abandon their dreams, emphasizing the importance of courage, self-belief and collaboration in overcoming challenges and rebuilding their lives.

Other beneficiaries who have recovered, alongside those currently undergoing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), expressed appreciation for the assistance they had received and called for its continuation.

They stressed that sustained support would enable more people to access opportunities for recovery, skills development and social reintegration.

Speaking at the ceremony, Cecilia Coker, Senior Project Assistant for IOM Sierra Leone’s MHPSS programme, highlighted the progress made through the initiative and reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at addressing mental health challenges in the country.

Cecilia Coker also urged members of the public to demonstrate compassion, understanding and solidarity towards individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, stressing the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive society.

In an interview with journalists, Dr. Rebecca Esliker, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Allied Sciences at the University of Makeni and Principal Investigator of the SUCCEED project, emphasized the importance of collective action in advancing development.

Dr. Rebecca Esliker also called on the Government and development partners to make greater use of the research findings and evidence generated through the SUCCEED programme, which is approaching its conclusion.

Similarly, Reverend Father Aloysius Kamara Esq., Director of the Justice, Peace and Human Rights Commission at Caritas Makeni, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting individuals facing mental health challenges.

Reverend Father Aloysius Kamara Esq. urged members of the public to recognize that mental health difficulties can affect anyone, stressing the need for empathy, acceptance and stronger community support for affected individuals.

The 2026 World Mental Health Day commemoration, held by IOM and its partners under the theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” provided an opportunity to raise awareness, challenge stigma and amplify the voices and experiences of people navigating mental health and psychosocial challenges.

Participants at the day-long commemoration called for continued collaboration among Government institutions, development partners, Civil Society Organisations and communities to strengthen mental health support services across the country.

They further emphasized the importance of ensuring that individuals experiencing mental health challenges are treated with dignity, provided with appropriate assistance and given meaningful opportunities to recover, develop their skills and rebuild their lives. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65379