By Ellen Samura 

Orange Sierra Leone has strengthened its commitment to public health and employee wellbeing through a series of activities marking World Mental Health Day 2026, combining community awareness, workplace education and collaboration with the Ministry of Health to promote a more supportive approach to mental health in Sierra Leone.

The activities began on Oct. 10 with a mental health awareness walk from Youyi Building to Family Kingdom in Aberdeen, Freetown. Organised by the Directorate of Mental Health and Non-Communicable Diseases in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Orange Sierra Leone and other stakeholders, the walk brought together hundreds of participants, including healthcare professionals, youth organisations, representatives of the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Teaching Hospital and members of the public.

The event took mental health advocacy beyond hospitals and healthcare facilities, encouraging communities to understand mental health conditions, challenge discrimination and treat people experiencing psychological or emotional difficulties with dignity and compassion.

Speaking at the conclusion of the walk, chief medical officer Dr Mustapha Kabba commended Orange Sierra Leone for supporting national efforts to raise awareness and tackle the stigma surrounding mental health.

He said mental health conditions are medical concerns that require understanding, appropriate treatment and support, rather than prejudice, isolation or social exclusion.

Describing the initiative as an important contribution to strengthening mental health advocacy in the country, Dr Abdul Jalloh, director of mental health and non-communicable called for greater public awareness and improved access to mental health services, while encouraging families, schools, religious institutions, employers and communities to create the required spaces where people can discuss their concerns and seek professional help without fear of being judged.

Bringing Mental Health into Workplace

For Orange Sierra Leone, the message that mental health matters does not end with community outreach. The company also recognises the workplace as an important setting for promoting emotional wellbeing, managing stress and encouraging employees to seek support when needed.

The company on Oct. 12 hosted a mental health awareness and sensitisation talk for employees at its headquarters Freetown. Held under the theme “We All Have Mental Health,” the session featured Dr Jalloh as guest speaker.

The interactive discussion explored emotional wellbeing, stress management, work-life balance and practical ways of maintaining positive mental health. Employees were also encouraged to recognise possible early signs of mental health difficulties and seek professional assistance when necessary.

The session highlighted the importance of creating a workplace where employees feel comfortable raising concerns about their psychological and emotional wellbeing without fear of stigma or unfair treatment.

It also reinforced the idea that mental health is not solely an individual responsibility. Employers have a role to play in fostering supportive working conditions, promoting understanding and developing a culture in which staff wellbeing is treated as an important part of organisational life.

Employees actively participated in the discussion, asking questions and sharing perspectives on the pressures that can arise from balancing professional demands with personal and family responsibilities.

By bringing mental health conversations directly to its workforce, Orange Sierra Leone sought to connect individual wellbeing with the wider responsibilities of employers to build healthier, more inclusive working environments.

Private Sector Joins National Mental Health Conversation

The company’s engagement continued on Oct. 15 when they participated in and sponsored the National Mental Health Symposium organised by the Ministry of Health at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown.

The symposium brought together government representatives, mental health professionals, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss Sierra Leone’s mental health challenges and explore collaborative approaches to improving awareness, reducing stigma and strengthening access to mental health and psychosocial support services.

Representing Orange Sierra Leone, Priscilla Ngozi Okechukwu, training and talent manager talked about the importance of prioritising mental health and emotional wellbeing in the workplace.

She reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote healthy working environments, noting the importance of employee wellbeing to personal development, organisational effectiveness and long-term productivity.

She also highlighted the need for a workplace culture that encourages employees to maintain a healthy balance between professional and personal responsibilities while receiving the understanding and support they need to thrive.

The company’s participation in the symposium strengthened its engagement with the Ministry of Health and contributed to a wider national conversation about mental health as both a public health concern and a workplace wellbeing issue.

Corporate Responsibility Beyond Connectivity

Orange Sierra Leone’s involvement in the 2026 World Mental Health Day activities reflects a broader view of corporate social responsibility—one that extends beyond the provision of telecommunications and digital financial services to include the wellbeing of employees and the communities it serves.

Through its corporate social responsibility programmes and the Orange Foundation, the company supports initiatives focused on healthcare, education, digital inclusion, youth empowerment and community development.

Its mental health activities brought these commitments into focus through three connected approaches: raising awareness among the public, encouraging employees to prioritise their wellbeing and supporting national efforts to address mental health challenges.

The combination of community engagement, workplace sensitisation and participation in a national symposium also illustrates how private sector organisations can complement government-led health initiatives. Businesses can help extend public health messages, create more supportive work environments and contribute to conversations about access to services and the reduction of stigma.

While awareness activities alone cannot resolve the challenges facing mental health services, sustained partnerships between government, businesses, health professionals and communities can help make mental health a more visible and openly discussed part of everyday life.

For employers, this also means recognising that workplace wellbeing involves more than productivity targets. Supportive management, reasonable work-life boundaries, respectful communication and access to appropriate assistance can all contribute to an environment in which employees feel valued.

A Message of Shared Responsibility

By supporting the national awareness walk, engaging its employees in professional mental health discussions and sponsoring the National Mental Health Symposium, the company has connected its corporate responsibility agenda with a wider effort to promote a more informed and compassionate society.

The challenge now is to sustain these conversations beyond the commemorative events—within homes, schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities and communities—so that people experiencing mental health difficulties are encouraged to seek help rather than suffer in silence.

For Orange Sierra Leone, the message is clear: “We All Have Mental Health.” Every voice matters, every experience deserves to be heard, and collective action can help build healthier workplaces, stronger communities and a more compassionate Sierra Leone.