Liberia is facing what mental health experts describe as a silent emotional health epidemic, particularly among women, as the lingering scars of civil war, economic hardship, and daily stress continue to weigh heavily on the population.
A November 2025 global well-being survey ranked Liberia among the top ten countries worldwide for high levels of worry and sadness, raising alarms among public health professionals. Experts warn that prolonged psychological stress is no longer just a mental health issue but is increasingly linked to chronic physical illnesses, especially among women who carry the dual burden of caregiving and economic survival.
The growing concern has pushed mental health into the national spotlight. The Boakai administration has publicly acknowledged mental well-being as a peace and national security issue, signaling a shift from years of silence and neglect.
In September 2025, Liberia’s First Lady, Madam Kartumu Yarta Boakai, made a strong call for the development of a national mental health plan, stressing that mental illness across Africa is often met with stigma, shame, or outright denial. She urged Liberians to recognize emotional health as essential to national healing in the post-war era.
The Ministry of Health has echoed this concern, warning that untreated psychological distress could fuel social instability if left unaddressed.
To strengthen the country’s fragile mental health system, the Government of Liberia continues to partner with international organizations such as The Carter Center. In April 2025, a high-level Carter Center delegation visited Liberia to reinforce collaboration, with plans underway to establish mental wellness clinics in all referral hospitals nationwide.
However, progress faces serious obstacles. Liberia is battling a surging substance abuse crisis, which officials have described as a “monster” destroying families and communities. In August 2025, Liberia and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) launched a joint effort to tackle drug abuse and mental health challenges through prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs.
Despite the training of hundreds of mental health clinicians in recent years, access to care remains limited, particularly in rural areas. Severe stigma persists, with mental illness often attributed to witchcraft or curses. In extreme cases, families resort to harmful practices such as chaining individuals instead of seeking medical help.
Health advocates say Liberia now stands at a crossroads: while political recognition and international partnerships offer new hope, sustained funding, public education, and community-based services will be critical to turning awareness into real change.
As Liberia continues its journey of post-conflict recovery, many believe that healing the mind may be just as important as rebuilding the nation’s physical infrastructure.
About The Author
