Mental Illness a serious challenge in Liberia

Montserrado County District#13 Representative Saah Joseph has alarmed that mental illness in Liberia has become a major challenge, stressing the need for serious attention from the government.

“Mental illness challenge is a major issue in Liberia. It needs attention,” Representative Johnson emphasized. The District#13 Lawmaker said government needs to put in place basic measures to cater to mentally-illed persons in the country by rehabilitating them to return to society.

He spoke recently at the official graduation of the Carter Center and Ministry of Health Post-Basic Training program on child and adolescents held at the Monrovia City Hall, in Sinkor.

Representative Joseph said the graduation of 21 pupils from the mental illness training, he felt good, adding that because of his interest in the graduating class, he named the class ‘Good Samaritans’ due to the passion to take care of their brothers and sisters who find themselves in such condition.

He recalled that few months ago, District#13 had the highest number of ghettoes, but he was able to put in place some measures that helped majority of the ghetto goers to enroll at the Monrovia Vocational Training Center or MVTC in Gardnersville, and today, are contributing to the society.

“Some of the youth, who were involved into drugs have attached themselves to schooling,” Representative Joseph said. He pointed out that development to move Liberia forward is not about Montserrado County, but the entire country, stressing for this to become a reality, requires involvement of every citizenry. “Development is all about engagement,” he indicated.

By Zee Roberts-Editing by Jonathan Browne