AWOL chairman urges government to declare mental health a national health emergency

All Walks of Life (AWOL) Chairman Ahmed Sahid Nasralla has urged the Government of Sierra Leone to declare mental health a national health emergency, calling for urgent and sustained action to improve care and support people experiencing mental-health difficulties.
In a statement prepared for the National Mental Health Symposium at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown on Thursday, 15 October, Nasralla said mental wellbeing should be treated as a national development priority rather than a peripheral concern.
“As Chairman of AWOL, I would make bold to urge the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Health, to declare mental health a national health emergency,” he said. “Yes, that is how serious the situation is.”
The symposium was organised by the Ministry of Health to commemorate World Mental Health Day 2026 under the theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”
Nasralla argued that national progress depends partly on a healthy and productive workforce, making mental wellbeing central to the country’s development.
“We cannot talk about national progress without taking seriously the mental wellbeing of the people expected to drive that progress,” he said.
He called for awareness campaigns to translate into better access to care, stronger community support and action against the stigma that prevents people from seeking help.
Nasralla also urged policymakers and health professionals to listen to people with lived experience of mental-health conditions, as well as their families and those providing daily support.
Their experiences, he said, could help identify gaps in services, clarify families’ needs and guide improvements in care.
“We must also remember the caregivers,” he said. “Behind many people experiencing mental-health difficulties are family members carrying enormous responsibilities, often quietly and with limited support.”
He welcomed efforts to reform mental-health legislation, describing the proposed Mental Health Bill as a move towards greater dignity, rights and care.
The reform effort predates the symposium. WHO reported in 2022 that it was supporting Sierra Leone’s government to replace the 1902 Lunacy Act, while September 2025 reporting said a draft bill had been submitted to Parliament. Its current legislative status requires confirmation.afro.who+1
Nasralla also paid tribute to the late Dr Nahim for his contribution to mental-health care and commended the Ministry of Health and its partners for their awareness efforts.
He said AWOL’s participation in the recent Mental Health Walk reflected the association’s commitment to challenging stigma and supporting more compassionate communities.
He urged participants to leave the symposium with practical recommendations and commitments that would continue beyond the event.
“Let us ensure that when people speak about their experiences, let us listen, learn and act!” he said.