06 Feb Promoting Mental Health Awareness with the Adventist Church in Monrovia

Supporting mental health awareness and prevention through community and school outreach

In January, the Benedict Menni Health Centre took part in a mental health awareness initiative alongside the Adventist Church on Old Road in Monrovia. The invitation formed part of the church’s ongoing health talks and created an important opportunity to open conversations about mental health within the community.

These sessions focused on bringing mental health closer to everyday life, offering a space where people could listen, ask questions and reflect together. By working collaboratively, the church’s health team and mental health professionals shared information, encouraged open dialogue and provided psychosocial support to members of the congregation.

The discussions highlighted the importance of understanding mental health as part of overall wellbeing, helping to address misconceptions and reduce stigma through simple, honest conversation. Creating this shared space allowed participants to feel heard and supported, reinforcing the value of community-led approaches to mental health awareness.

The initiative continued with a visit to a local Adventist school, where students from Grades 10 to 12 took part in sessions focused on substance use and addiction prevention. These sessions encouraged young people to reflect on the impact of substance use on mental health and wellbeing, and to consider the importance of making informed and healthy choices.

By engaging directly with both community members and students, the programme aimed to support early awareness and prevention, recognising that education and open conversation play a key role in promoting long-term wellbeing.

Through collaboration with local partners and outreach across different generations, these activities contributed to strengthening understanding, reducing stigma and supporting mental health awareness within the Monrovia community.