Chairman of the All Works of Life (AWOL), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, has called on the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Health, to declare mental health a national health emergency, warning that the growing challenges affecting mental wellbeing require urgent intervention, stronger institutional responses and sustained national commitment.
He made the call on Thursday, 15 October 2026, while delivering a statement at the National Mental Health Symposium organised by the Ministry of Health at the Miatta Conference Centre, Youyi Building, in Freetown. The symposium formed part of activities commemorating World Mental Health Day 2026.
Held under the theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” the symposium focused on strengthening mental healthcare services, addressing stigma, promoting public awareness and ensuring that people experiencing mental-health challenges are actively involved in decisions affecting their wellbeing.
Addressing participants, Nasralla reflected on Sierra Leone’s longstanding challenges in mental healthcare, paying tribute to the late Dr Nahim, whom he described as a prominent figure in the country’s mental-health sector.
He recalled that Dr Nahim was frequently described in media reports as Sierra Leone’s only psychiatrist at the time, highlighting the severe shortage of specialist mental-health professionals that affected service delivery.
According to Nasralla, Dr Nahim regularly appeared on Radio Democracy 98.1 FM during World Mental Health Day commemorations, where he discussed mental-health issues with renowned broadcaster, Asmaa James, and raised public awareness about the scale of the problem.
He recalled that during one of the discussions, Dr Nahim cited alarming statistics about the prevalence of mental-health conditions in Sierra Leone. Nasralla also recounted a humorous exchange in which James jokingly asked whether treating so many patients single-handedly could eventually affect the psychiatrist’s own mental health.
The AWOL Chairman used the occasion to honour the late psychiatrist for his dedication and contribution to mental healthcare under difficult circumstances, describing his service as an important part of Sierra Leone’s mental-health history.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Dr Abdul Jalloh, Director of Mental Health and Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, whom he recognised as an important figure in ongoing efforts to improve mental-health services.
Nasralla expressed satisfaction that Sierra Leone now has more than one psychiatrist, describing the development as encouraging progress towards addressing the country’s shortage of specialist personnel.
He further welcomed ongoing efforts to replace the outdated Lunacy Act of 1902 with a modern Mental Health Bill aimed at strengthening patients’ rights, protecting their dignity and improving access to appropriate care.
He described the proposed legislation as a significant step towards building a more humane, inclusive and responsive mental-healthcare system.
Despite acknowledging these developments, Nasralla maintained that the scale of the challenges facing the country demands more decisive action from the Government.
“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. Yes, that is how serious the situation is,” he stated.
Explaining his position, he expressed concern about what he described as increasing levels of anger, hostility, intolerance and abusive exchanges on social media and in public discourse.
While acknowledging that such behaviour cannot automatically be attributed to mental-health conditions, he said it raises broader concerns about emotional wellbeing, social relationships and the need to promote healthier interactions within society.
Nasralla argued that national development cannot be separated from the mental wellbeing of citizens, particularly those responsible for driving economic productivity, public administration, education and other essential sectors.
He stressed that a healthy and productive workforce is fundamental to national progress, making mental healthcare a development priority that requires sustained attention beyond annual commemorative events.
“A nation’s development depends, among other things, on a healthy and productive workforce. We cannot talk about national progress without taking seriously the mental wellbeing of the people expected to drive that progress,” he emphasised.
The AWOL Chairman also highlighted his organisation’s longstanding partnership with the Ministry of Health, tracing its involvement in healthcare delivery and other national development initiatives to the early 2000s.
He recalled that during AWOL’s formative years, Connaught Hospital lacked an X-ray machine, limiting access to essential diagnostic services. In response, the organisation donated an X-ray machine to the hospital and subsequently procured a generator to address electricity challenges affecting the department.
He disclosed that AWOL members also volunteered to clean, scrub and repaint the X-ray department, helping to improve its physical environment and working conditions.
Nasralla said the organisation maintained its commitment to national healthcare priorities during major public-health emergencies, including the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
During the crisis, he said, AWOL donated Le150 million to the Government to support the national response. The organisation also provided food, water and assorted drinks to people affected by the outbreak and the restrictions imposed across the country.
Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, AWOL contributed support valued at Le150 million towards Government efforts to contain the disease and protect vulnerable communities.
According to Nasralla, these interventions demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to supporting national healthcare priorities, particularly during periods of severe public-health and humanitarian challenges.
He explained that AWOL’s participation in the Mental Health Awareness Walk held on Saturday, 10 October 2026, was a continuation of its longstanding collaboration with the Ministry of Health and development partners.
The walk, he said, provided an opportunity to educate the public, challenge misconceptions about mental illness and demonstrate solidarity with individuals and families affected by mental-health conditions.
He commended the Ministry of Health and its partners for organising the activity, noting that increased public participation reflects growing recognition of mental health as an important national concern.
Nasralla stressed that people experiencing mental-health difficulties should never be made to feel abandoned, isolated or ashamed of their conditions.
He reaffirmed AWOL’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote understanding, compassion and inclusion while dismantling the stigma that discourages many people from seeking professional assistance.
Reflecting on the symposium’s theme, he emphasised the importance of placing people with lived experiences of mental-health challenges at the centre of policy discussions and efforts to improve services.
He maintained that meaningful progress cannot be achieved through discussions involving only medical professionals, government officials, policymakers and institutions without adequately considering the experiences of those directly affected.
According to him, individuals living with mental-health conditions, their relatives and caregivers possess valuable insights that can help identify weaknesses in existing services and guide the development of more effective interventions.
He noted that their experiences can reveal barriers to accessing treatment, gaps in community support, difficulties confronting families and areas in which healthcare institutions need to improve their services.
Nasralla further stressed that public-awareness campaigns must result in measurable improvements in the lives of affected individuals rather than remain limited to speeches, commemorations and symbolic activities.
“As AWOL Chairman, I believe awareness is important, but it must lead to action; better access to care, stronger community support, greater public understanding and an end to the stigma that prevents people from seeking help,” he stated.
He also highlighted the difficulties faced by caregivers, particularly family members who provide continuous assistance to relatives experiencing mental-health conditions, often with limited financial, emotional or professional support.
He observed that many caregivers shoulder significant responsibilities and make considerable personal sacrifices, while receiving little recognition or assistance.
He therefore called for their needs to be given greater consideration in national mental-health programmes, including through access to guidance, counselling, community-based assistance and other practical support services.
Nasralla urged participants to move beyond identifying challenges and develop realistic recommendations capable of influencing policy, strengthening healthcare services and improving the wellbeing of affected communities.
He called on stakeholders to ensure that commitments arising from the symposium translate into sustained interventions that continue beyond the commemorative activities.
The AWOL Chairman reaffirmed his organisation’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, development partners, healthcare professionals and community stakeholders to promote mental wellbeing and support people affected by mental-health challenges.
He maintained that improving mental healthcare requires collective responsibility, sustained investment, stronger public education and a compassionate national approach that respects the dignity and rights of every individual.
Concluding his statement, Nasralla called on government institutions, civil society organisations, healthcare providers and the wider public to listen attentively to people sharing their experiences of mental-health difficulties and use those experiences to inform meaningful reforms.
“Let us ensure that when people speak about their experiences, we listen, learn and act!” he concluded.