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Sierra Leone

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

  1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
    • Phone Number: +232 78 522 787 (Mental Health Coalition Sierra Leone – Suicide Prevention and Psychological Support Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Free and confidential crisis support, suicide prevention services, and mental health counseling. (mentalhealthcoalitionsl.org)
  1. Mental Health Helpline:
    • Phone Number: +232 76 612 186 (Sierra Leone Psychiatric Teaching Hospital – Crisis and Mental Health Support)
    • Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 6 PM, Monday to Friday
    • Additional Details: Provides psychiatric evaluations, crisis intervention, and counseling services.
  1. Emergency Line:
    • Phone Number: 999 (Police) / 117 (Medical Emergency)
    • Notes: National emergency numbers for medical and psychiatric emergencies.
  1. Gender-Based Violence and Trauma Support:
    • Phone Number: +232 76 665 700 (Rainbo Initiative – GBV and Trauma Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Provides support, legal aid, and shelter services for survivors of gender-based violence. (rainboinitiative.org)
  1. Youth and Adolescent Mental Health Support:
    • Phone Number: +232 30 500 090 (Advocacy for Mental Health and Wellbeing – Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Saturday
    • Additional Details: Offers psychological counseling and suicide prevention support for young people.
Suicide Prevention in Sierra Leone

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

  • Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 6.1 (2019 data). (worldbank.org)
  • Trend Analysis:
    • Last 5 Years: Suicide rates in Sierra Leone have remained relatively stable, but mental health challenges have increased due to economic hardship, trauma, and limited healthcare access.

Demographic-Specific Insights

  1. By Gender:
    • Male Suicide Rate: Higher than female suicide rates, often linked to unemployment, substance abuse, and social pressures.
    • Female Suicide Rate: Lower, but increasing cases of suicide attempts related to gender-based violence and economic struggles.
  1. By Age Groups:
    • Adolescents (15–24): Increased risk due to academic pressure, social stigma, and lack of access to mental health care.
    • Elderly (60+): Limited data, but social isolation and economic dependency contribute to mental health struggles.
  1. Urban vs. Rural:
    • Rural areas have higher suicide rates due to fewer mental health resources and economic hardships.
    • Urban areas experience growing mental health challenges linked to unemployment and trauma from past civil conflict.
  1. Special Groups:
    • LGBTQIA+ Individuals: Face discrimination and lack of mental health support, increasing their suicide risk.
    • Survivors of Conflict and Trauma: PTSD-related suicides remain a concern due to Sierra Leone’s history of civil war and Ebola outbreaks.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

  • Overview: Suicide prevention is integrated into Sierra Leone’s National Mental Health Policy (2019–2029), which aims to increase mental health access and reduce stigma.
  • Key Elements:
    • Expansion of community-based mental health services.
    • Suicide prevention training for healthcare workers and community leaders.
    • Public awareness campaigns to encourage help-seeking behavior.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    • Example: “Mind Matters Sierra Leone” – A national mental health awareness campaign focused on reducing stigma and increasing access to mental health services.
  1. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
    • Youth Mental Health Programs: School-based interventions addressing depression and suicide risk among students.
    • Post-Conflict Mental Health Support: Community counseling programs for survivors of war and Ebola trauma.
  1. Collaborative Efforts:
    • Sierra Leone collaborates with WHO, UNICEF, and international NGOs to improve mental health services and suicide prevention strategies.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

  • Digital Tools:
    • Development of mental health mobile apps to provide self-help resources and crisis support.
    • Telepsychiatry initiatives expanding mental health care access in rural communities.
  • Community-Based Interventions:
    • Suicide prevention training for teachers, faith leaders, and law enforcement officers.
    • Peer-support networks providing crisis support and suicide awareness.

Additional Insights

  • Cultural Considerations:
    • Suicide remains highly stigmatized, leading to underreporting of attempts.
    • Traditional healers and religious leaders play a significant role in mental health care.
  • Research and Data Gaps:
    • Limited national statistics on suicide trends among LGBTQIA+ individuals and minority groups.
    • Lack of mental health facilities outside of major urban centers.
  • Positive Developments:
    • Expansion of mental health services in primary healthcare centers.
    • Government efforts to train more mental health professionals and integrate services into general healthcare.

References

  1. Sierra Leone Ministry of Health. (n.d.). National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy (2019–2029). Retrieved from https://www.health.gov.sl/
  2. World Bank. (2019). Sierra Leone – Suicide Mortality Rate (per 100,000 Population). Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/
  3. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Sierra Leone. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
  4. Mental Health Coalition Sierra Leone. (n.d.). Suicide Prevention and Crisis Support Services in Sierra Leone. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealthcoalitionsl.org/
  5. Rainbo Initiative. (n.d.). Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health Support in Sierra Leone. Retrieved from https://www.rainboinitiative.org/
  6. PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). (n.d.). Mental Health Policies and Suicide Prevention in West Africa. Retrieved from https://www.paho.org/
  7. UNICEF Sierra Leone. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs in Sierra Leone. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/sierraleone/