By: Mohamed Sahr mohamedsahrpro@gmail.com
As the country strives towards abolishing the outdated 1902 Lunacy Act which fails to provide modern framework for mental health care and its unwillingness to protect the rights of people with mental health conditions. However, the newly drafted 2023 Mental Health Bill envisages the ultimate provision of modernized mental health laws, providing better protection for affected people and establishes a framework for the delivery of mental health services across the country. Notwithstanding, it is safe to say that there is a fanfare of hope for the need to improve mental health inasmuch as there is the possibility for the creation of a healthier and productive society.
In an exclusive interview with A-Z Newspaper, Dr. Carol Labor, Presidential Appointee and Adviser on Mental Health at the Ministry of Health reveals that mental health has genital profile and different experience when it comes to the challenges which an individual faces; adding that these challenges may lead to mental health disorders like stress, anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which have the potential for individuals to unlikely be part of the employment space.
She mentioned that most mental health disorders are manageable as long as the appropriate treatments are done. “Our goal is to increase accessibility and availability of mental health care,” Madam Labor revealed.
She furthered that His Excellency President Bio is committed to improve mental health; emphasizing people with mental health issues are safely managed and catered for. Madam Labor reaffirmed that the Ministry of Health is keen to repeal and replace the out-of-fashion 1902 Lunacy Act to newly drafted Bill with premium on increasing the human rights aspect, and protecting the right of people with mental health disorders.
Diving down on the impression of the Ministry towards combating mental health issues in the country, Madam Labor added that the Ministry has done a lot in order to eliminate mental health problems, and she believed that this is a priority of the President to increasing the visibility of mental health through the reduction of mental health stigmas and disorders.
She said building capacity, training of experts and embarking on advocacy within the sixteen districts have been the exciting work of the Ministry of Health in recent times. “We have got professional psychiatrics and medical doctors at our teaching hospitals especially at Kissy and our district hospitals across the country,” Madam Labor stated.
She continued that the Ministry has increased accessibility, awareness and support on mental health issues. Madam Labor said the Government of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Health are committed to increase budget on mental health care; noting that it would also enhance the increase in accessibility of mental health as well as building capacity and adjust a supportive workforce.
She urged Sierra Leoneans and institutions to avoid stigmatizing people with mental health disorders as they are also part of the society and their voice are equally relevant.
Meanwhile, this deep dive exclusive interview was done on Wednesday 8th November, 2023 at MoH Secretariat in Freetown.
