The Carter Center has urged the Government of Liberia to prioritize mental health in schools, emphasizing the need for increased budgetary support and policy integration.
The call was made over the weekend during a three-day training workshop on incorporating the Mental Health Manual into the Pre-service Teacher Training Curriculum.
Held from February 6-8, 2025, in Margibi County, the workshop brought together key stakeholders, including teachers, academic deans from the Kakata Rural Teachers Training Institute (KRTTI), Zwedru Teachers Training Institute (ZRTTI), and Webo Teachers Training Institute (WTTI).
Also in attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, school-based mental health clinicians, among others.
Madam Leona Swarray, Project Officer for School Mental Health at the Carter Center Mental Health Program, stressed the importance of government ownership in sustaining mental health initiatives in schools.
“We have been working with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Education to establish school-based mental health clinics in eight schools across the country,” Swarray said. “We have trained mental health clinicians, integrated classroom-based interventions, and provided teachers with tools to recognize early warning signs of mental health challenges.”
Swarray noted that while these efforts have been impactful, sustainability remains a concern. She emphasized that embedding mental health education within the Teacher Training Institutes (TTIs) is a strategic move to ensure long-term success.
“In 2023, we proposed embedding mental health lessons into the rural teacher training institutes to equip future teachers with the necessary skills to support students’ mental well-being,” she explained. “By doing so, we ensure that mental health education is consistently applied in schools across Liberia.”
Swarray urged the government to allocate funding for mental health programs, particularly at the school level.
“Our future ministers, presidents, and policymakers are in schools today. If they grow up without awareness of mental health, they may not prioritize it in governance,” she warned. “We must teach students coping mechanisms, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation to create a sound and productive society.”
She also stressed the need for mental health to be incorporated into various educational policies, including early childhood development and inclusive education programs.
“The government must take ownership of these initiatives. Carter Center will not be in Liberia forever, and sustainability requires that mental health is embedded within national education policies,” she added.
Mr. Siwala Simeon Jallah, Sr., Director for Teachers’ Education at the Ministry of Education, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to integrating mental health education into the teacher training curriculum.
“This training is essential because it equips teachers with the skills to identify students facing mental health challenges,” Jallah stated. “Mental health is everyone’s business, and embedding it into the TTI curriculum ensures a sustainable approach to addressing these issues.”
According to Jallah, 10 mental health-related topics have been incorporated into the child development module for C-certificate teachers. These topics include an introduction to mental health, its importance, and strategies for recognizing early warning signs.
“By training future teachers on these issues, we create a multiplier effect, ensuring that mental health awareness extends beyond the classroom into homes and communities,” he added.
The workshop participants, including school-based mental health clinicians and parent-teacher association members, echoed calls for sustained government commitment. They emphasized that prioritizing mental health in schools will help address issues such as bullying, substance abuse, and violence.
“The government must increase the education sector’s budget to include mental health programs,” one participant noted. “This will ensure that teachers and students receive the support they need to create a safe and productive learning environment.”
With mental health now integrated into the national school curriculum and teacher training programs, stakeholders are hopeful that the government will strengthen its commitment by providing the necessary funding and policy backing to ensure lasting impact.
As mental health awareness continues to grow in Liberia, the Carter Center and other stakeholders have set the foundation for a more inclusive and supportive education system. However, the success of these efforts depends on the government’s willingness to prioritize mental health as a fundamental human right and allocate the necessary resources to sustain these initiatives.
