Liberia: Protection & Empowerment Network Hosts Mental Health Seminar to Build Professional Resilience in Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia – The Protection & Empowerment Network (PEN), in partnership with Higher Africa, Entrainment, and the Forward-Facing Institute, conducted a two-day mental health seminar focused on building professional resilience.

Held at A’la Lagone on October 31 and November 1, 2024, the event attracted 150 participants from Liberia’s 15 counties, including government officials, caregivers, social workers, community leaders, civil society representatives, security personnel, and students.

According to organizers, the seminar aimed to address the unique challenges caregivers face, offering practical strategies for coping with stress and trauma in a field that demands high emotional resilience. Recognizing that mental health is a personal journey, the training emphasized that individuals often face similar struggles and highlighted mechanisms for strengthening mental well-being.

A team of mental health experts from the United States led the seminar, with Dr. David White, Ph.D., serving as the chief facilitator. Dr. Moses Ziah II, Director of the Mental Health Unit at Liberia’s Ministry of Health, delivered the keynote address, underscoring the importance of mental health support for Liberia’s social service workforce. The seminar’s leadership team also included PEN CEO Mrs. Shenell Sarwon, Mrs. Machemed McCaskill, and Madam Romelia Paasewe.

PEN’s Country Director, Mrs. Sedia P. Mantein, expressed gratitude to the facilitators and called for continued collaboration to expand mental health resources across Liberia. Quoting renowned psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, she stated, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

Founded to fight violence against women and children, PEN also focuses on mental health counseling, women’s empowerment, and public health. This seminar marks a continuation of PEN’s mission to strengthen communities through mental health awareness.

Addressing a Critical Need for Mental Health Support

PEN’s Country Director, Mrs. Sedia P. Mantein said the rationale behind the seminar stems from Liberia’s long-standing mental health challenges, which have persisted since the country’s 14-year civil war. “Widespread trauma, stress, and depression are common issues in Liberian society, and unresolved mental health struggles often lead to strained family dynamics and community instability,” she said. According to PEN, promoting mental health awareness and counseling is essential to building healthier families and communities in Liberia.

As PEN and its partners continue their work, participants left the seminar equipped with practical skills and a renewed commitment to mental health advocacy, hoping to create a ripple effect across Liberia’s communities and institutions.