Table 5.

Key achievements of the Mental Health Coalition – Sierra Leone

• National Mental Health Policy: Founding members of the MHC were involved with the initial drafting and validation of the National Mental Health Policy (31) in 2009. The MHC when formed in 2011 took on the issue of the Policy as a key target, resulting in the identification of the need for a formal launching as the integral stumbling block for political acceptance of the Policy and working to promote its eventual launch in 2012.

• Mental Health Strategic Plan: The MHC reinforced the MoHS’ coordination of the drafting and circulation of the Mental Health Strategic Plan (32) which was presenting at the launching of the Policy.

• Agenda for Prosperity: The MHC supported the Office of the President's Strategy and Technical Unit in its process of drafting of Sierra Leone's second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), the Agenda for Prosperity (33). The MHC viewed its success in the inclusion of key elements of the Mental Health Policy in the drafts of the PRSP II, with the outcome of mental health mentioned in the final draft. The MHC supported the establishment of the MoHS’ Mental Health Steering Committee, for which its members holds key supporting roles.

• Annual Mental Health Conference: The MHC initiated an annual conference on mental health in Sierra Leone, bringing together both national stakeholders and international participants.