Youth Mental Health in Developing Nations: Challenges, Resilience, and Policy Innovations from Sierra Leone
Tracks
MONARCH ROOM - In-Person & Virtual via OnAIR
PRINCE ROOM - In-Person Only
MARQUIS ROOM - In-Person Only
JACARANDA ROOM - In-Person Only
| Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM |
Overview
Mr Ibrahim Sannoh, Minister of Youth Affairs, Government of Sierra Leone & Ms Sia Anthonette Abu, Athletes & Volunteer Manager, Special Olympics Sierra Leone
Presenter
Ms Sia Anthonette Abu
Athletes And Family Manager
Special Olympics Sierra Leone
Youth Mental Health in Developing Nations: Challenges, Resilience, and Policy Innovations from Sierra Leone
Presentation Overview
Children and adolescents represent the greatest asset of any nation, yet their mental health needs remain under-resourced in many developing countries. In Sierra Leone, decades of civil conflict, public health crises, economic hardship, and social disruption have had a profound impact on the psychological wellbeing of young people. This presentation will provide a government-level perspective on how Sierra Leone is addressing child and adolescent mental health through policy reform, community engagement, and youth-centred interventions.
The presentation will outline the current mental health landscape in Sierra Leone, highlighting key challenges such as limited specialist services, workforce shortages, stigma, and barriers to access—particularly in rural and marginalised communities. It will also examine the disproportionate impact of trauma, poverty, and social exclusion on children and adolescents, and the urgent need for coordinated, preventive approaches.
Central to this discussion will be the role of the Ministry of Youth Affairs in driving cross-sector collaboration with health, education, social welfare, and community stakeholders. The presentation will showcase emerging initiatives focused on early intervention, school-based psychosocial support, youth leadership, and the integration of mental health into broader youth development policies. Emphasis will be placed on community-based and culturally responsive models that leverage local structures, peer support, and youth participation.
Finally, the presentation will reflect on lessons learned and opportunities for international collaboration. It will call for stronger global partnerships, knowledge exchange, and investment to support low-resource settings in building resilient, inclusive mental health systems for children and adolescents. By sharing Sierra Leone’s experiences, this session aims to contribute to a global dialogue on equitable mental health solutions and inspire collective action to ensure no young person is left behind.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Holistic Approach is Essential:
Effective child and adolescent mental health interventions require cross-sector collaboration between government, health, education, and community stakeholders, as well as integration into broader youth development policies.
2. Community-Based and Culturally Responsive Solutions Work:
Leveraging local structures, peer support, and youth participation is critical to delivering accessible, contextually appropriate mental health services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
3. Global Collaboration Strengthens Local Impact:
Sharing experiences, knowledge exchange, and international partnerships can support low-resource countries in building resilient and inclusive mental health systems for children and adolescents.
The presentation will outline the current mental health landscape in Sierra Leone, highlighting key challenges such as limited specialist services, workforce shortages, stigma, and barriers to access—particularly in rural and marginalised communities. It will also examine the disproportionate impact of trauma, poverty, and social exclusion on children and adolescents, and the urgent need for coordinated, preventive approaches.
Central to this discussion will be the role of the Ministry of Youth Affairs in driving cross-sector collaboration with health, education, social welfare, and community stakeholders. The presentation will showcase emerging initiatives focused on early intervention, school-based psychosocial support, youth leadership, and the integration of mental health into broader youth development policies. Emphasis will be placed on community-based and culturally responsive models that leverage local structures, peer support, and youth participation.
Finally, the presentation will reflect on lessons learned and opportunities for international collaboration. It will call for stronger global partnerships, knowledge exchange, and investment to support low-resource settings in building resilient, inclusive mental health systems for children and adolescents. By sharing Sierra Leone’s experiences, this session aims to contribute to a global dialogue on equitable mental health solutions and inspire collective action to ensure no young person is left behind.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Holistic Approach is Essential:
Effective child and adolescent mental health interventions require cross-sector collaboration between government, health, education, and community stakeholders, as well as integration into broader youth development policies.
2. Community-Based and Culturally Responsive Solutions Work:
Leveraging local structures, peer support, and youth participation is critical to delivering accessible, contextually appropriate mental health services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
3. Global Collaboration Strengthens Local Impact:
Sharing experiences, knowledge exchange, and international partnerships can support low-resource countries in building resilient and inclusive mental health systems for children and adolescents.
Biography
Sia Anthonette Abu is married with 2 kids and is the current Athletes and Volunteer Manager of Special Olympics Sierra Leone. She graduated with Hons. In Peace and Conflict from the University of Sierra Leone.
Mr Ibrahim Sannoh
Honourable Minister
Ministry Of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone
Youth Mental Health in Developing Nations: Challenges, Resilience, and Policy Innovations from Sierra Leone
Presentation Overview
Children and adolescents represent the greatest asset of any nation, yet their mental health needs remain under-resourced in many developing countries. In Sierra Leone, decades of civil conflict, public health crises, economic hardship, and social disruption have had a profound impact on the psychological wellbeing of young people. This presentation will provide a government-level perspective on how Sierra Leone is addressing child and adolescent mental health through policy reform, community engagement, and youth-centred interventions.
The presentation will outline the current mental health landscape in Sierra Leone, highlighting key challenges such as limited specialist services, workforce shortages, stigma, and barriers to access—particularly in rural and marginalised communities. It will also examine the disproportionate impact of trauma, poverty, and social exclusion on children and adolescents, and the urgent need for coordinated, preventive approaches.
Central to this discussion will be the role of the Ministry of Youth Affairs in driving cross-sector collaboration with health, education, social welfare, and community stakeholders. The presentation will showcase emerging initiatives focused on early intervention, school-based psychosocial support, youth leadership, and the integration of mental health into broader youth development policies. Emphasis will be placed on community-based and culturally responsive models that leverage local structures, peer support, and youth participation.
Finally, the presentation will reflect on lessons learned and opportunities for international collaboration. It will call for stronger global partnerships, knowledge exchange, and investment to support low-resource settings in building resilient, inclusive mental health systems for children and adolescents. By sharing Sierra Leone’s experiences, this session aims to contribute to a global dialogue on equitable mental health solutions and inspire collective action to ensure no young person is left behind.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Holistic Approach is Essential:
Effective child and adolescent mental health interventions require cross-sector collaboration between government, health, education, and community stakeholders, as well as integration into broader youth development policies.
2. Community-Based and Culturally Responsive Solutions Work:
Leveraging local structures, peer support, and youth participation is critical to delivering accessible, contextually appropriate mental health services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
3. Global Collaboration Strengthens Local Impact:
Sharing experiences, knowledge exchange, and international partnerships can support low-resource countries in building resilient and inclusive mental health systems for children and adolescents.
The presentation will outline the current mental health landscape in Sierra Leone, highlighting key challenges such as limited specialist services, workforce shortages, stigma, and barriers to access—particularly in rural and marginalised communities. It will also examine the disproportionate impact of trauma, poverty, and social exclusion on children and adolescents, and the urgent need for coordinated, preventive approaches.
Central to this discussion will be the role of the Ministry of Youth Affairs in driving cross-sector collaboration with health, education, social welfare, and community stakeholders. The presentation will showcase emerging initiatives focused on early intervention, school-based psychosocial support, youth leadership, and the integration of mental health into broader youth development policies. Emphasis will be placed on community-based and culturally responsive models that leverage local structures, peer support, and youth participation.
Finally, the presentation will reflect on lessons learned and opportunities for international collaboration. It will call for stronger global partnerships, knowledge exchange, and investment to support low-resource settings in building resilient, inclusive mental health systems for children and adolescents. By sharing Sierra Leone’s experiences, this session aims to contribute to a global dialogue on equitable mental health solutions and inspire collective action to ensure no young person is left behind.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Holistic Approach is Essential:
Effective child and adolescent mental health interventions require cross-sector collaboration between government, health, education, and community stakeholders, as well as integration into broader youth development policies.
2. Community-Based and Culturally Responsive Solutions Work:
Leveraging local structures, peer support, and youth participation is critical to delivering accessible, contextually appropriate mental health services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
3. Global Collaboration Strengthens Local Impact:
Sharing experiences, knowledge exchange, and international partnerships can support low-resource countries in building resilient and inclusive mental health systems for children and adolescents.
Biography
Ibrahim Sannoh is a Sierra Leonean politician who presently holds the position Minister of Youth Affairs (2025) and has held the position of Deputy Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, having been appointed to this role by President Julius Maada Bio in the year 2023. Prior to this appointment, he occupied the position of executive director at the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority. Sannoh's educational journey began at Saint Francis School in Sierra Leone where he obtained his primary education. He then continued his studies at Government Secondary School in Bo.
In 2006, Sannoh gained admission to Fourah Bay College, where he pursued a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics and Political Science.
After completing his undergraduate studies in 2010, Sannoh embarked on a Masters in Public Administration at the Institute Of Public Administration and Management, which he completed in 2019.
