Liberia’s First Lady, Madam Kartumu Yarta Boakai, has issued a compelling call to action for the establishment of a comprehensive National Mental Health Plan. Speaking at the TUFH 2025 Global Health Cultural Dinner in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, Madam Boakai highlighted the urgent need for mental health resources in Liberia, emphasizing the silent suffering caused by stigma and shame surrounding mental illness. Her plea resonated within the context of broader healthcare challenges facing the nation, particularly the critical state of maternal and neonatal health. Madam Boakai’s appeal underscored the interconnectedness of these issues, emphasizing that addressing mental health is crucial for the overall well-being of Liberian society.
The First Lady painted a stark picture of the realities faced by Liberian women and their newborns. She described the harrowing conditions in which many women give birth, lacking access to basic healthcare facilities and resources. The alarming neonatal mortality rates, she pointed out, represent a pressing crisis demanding immediate attention and intervention. While acknowledging the severity of the situation, Madam Boakai also offered a message of hope, noting the positive impact of ongoing partnerships and initiatives that are gradually improving maternal and neonatal care across the country. She cited examples of hospitals where women are receiving proper care and newborns are welcomed into the world with dignity, signaling a shift away from the chaotic scenes depicted in a video she shared with the audience.
Madam Boakai’s appeal for a National Mental Health Plan exposed the deep-seated cultural barriers surrounding mental health in Liberia and many other African societies. She eloquently described the suffering endured by those struggling with mental illness, highlighting the tendency to silence, stigmatize, and shame individuals experiencing mental health challenges. This societal silencing, she argued, only exacerbates the problem, allowing the pain to fester and intensify. Madam Boakai emphasized the need for a national plan that is both responsive and inclusive, capable of addressing the unique needs of the Liberian population and effectively combating the stigma associated with mental illness.
The First Lady’s advocacy extended beyond simply identifying the need for a mental health plan; she also called on specific partners to assist in this critical endeavor. She specifically addressed the Mollie Woods Hare Global Center of Excellence, praising their mission to establish clinical standards, train healthcare providers, conduct research, and support policy development for neurodivergence. She urged this organization and others to join forces with Liberia in tackling the mental health crisis, emphasizing the critical role of international partnerships in achieving sustainable progress. Madam Boakai’s words resonated as a heartfelt plea for collaboration and support in building a stronger, more resilient mental healthcare system in Liberia.
Madam Boakai connected Liberia’s mental health crisis to the nation’s broader post-war recovery and the long-neglected systemic issues plaguing its healthcare system. She argued that these issues are no longer abstract concepts but manifest in tangible ways, evident in the struggles within maternity wards, the anguish of untreated mental illness, and the growing shadow of youth addiction. The lack of basic resources in many health centers, such as electricity, water, and trained staff, further compounds these challenges. Despite these hardships, Madam Boakai expressed profound admiration for the resilience of Liberian women who continue to give birth with courage. She shared personal anecdotes of encounters with teenage mothers, grieving parents, and young people battling addiction, highlighting the human face of these crises and reinforcing her determination to address them.
Madam Boakai’s presence at the TUFH 2025 Global Health Cultural Dinner provided a crucial platform to amplify her message and garner support for Liberia’s healthcare priorities. The event, attended by senior executives of Woods System of Care, TUFH, and other international development partners, offered a unique opportunity to connect with global changemakers and dignitaries. Madam Boakai’s powerful testimony, coupled with the conference’s focus on transforming healthcare through innovation, inclusion, and compassion, created a synergistic environment for advancing the cause of health equity in Liberia. The gathering served as a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility to challenge existing paradigms and work collaboratively towards a healthier future for all.
