Fight against Kush and substance abuse in Sierra Leone

Advocacy for Youth Mental Health and Empowerment (AYMHE) is implementing a community and peer-based mental health awareness, and substance use prevention model in schools and community centers across Sierra Leone. The program trains youth leaders and educators to offer weekly one-on-one support sessions and lead monthly interactive discussions on mental health literacy, resilience, and substance use prevention using media, open dialogues, and role-playing. Youth leaders and educators are trained to identify early signs of mental health challenges and substance use, providing timely interventions and referrals. The project also partners with the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Mental Hospital for counselling and rehabilitation services. AYMHE will also conduct workshops with families, educators, and local leaders and provide training sessions to law enforcement officers on substance use prevention and techniques for handling cases with empathy and adherence to human rights. Finally, AYMHE will run an awareness media campaign through local radio, television stations, newspapers, and social media.