Published: March 11, 2025
MONROVIA – In an effort to equip citizens with essential knowledge and skills for handling emergencies such as heart attacks, near-drowning, suffocation, and other conditions affecting mental well-being, the Liberia Medical Mission (LMM) 2025, in collaboration with Dave Llewellyn Dixon and Associates (DLDA), a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm based in the United States, has trained over 50 individuals in mental health and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
The training, organized by BLESSING-Liberia, a local youth organization operating in Grand Bassa County, was facilitated by psychologists and health experts from the United States and other countries who are part of the LMM 2025 team.
Participants were drawn from the Liberia National Police (LNP), the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), and the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) for the two-day session, which ran from February 25–26, 2025.
Healthcare providers, teachers, caregivers from the Grand Bassa County Health Team, personnel from various clinics and hospitals, orphanage staff, nurses, and students from nursing institutions and high schools also took part. Community leaders, youth organizations, and women’s groups were also represented.
According to the World Health Organization, one in five Liberians suffers from a mental disorder. With a national population of five million, this translates to an estimated 400,000 individuals affected by some form of mental illness, with approximately 130,000 experiencing severe conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, Liberia’s suicide rate has increased from 2.27 per 100,000 people in 2018 to 4.50 per 100,000 as of now.
At the same time, the rate of CPR training in Liberia remains low compared to developed countries, due to limited access to training programs, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and a general lack of public awareness regarding the importance of CPR.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop, DLDA Founder and President Dave L. Dixon said his organization’s decision to support LMM 2025’s activities in Grand Bassa was driven by the need to expand emergency care response across sectors and within communities.
“Many of our people do not understand CPR, and so they don’t know what to do in emergency situations, such as suffocation, that could be reversed with simple techniques. Unfortunately, these incidents sometimes become fatal. That is why we want this knowledge to be widespread among citizens,” he said.
Dixon further emphasized the importance of regular mental health training for Liberians from all walks of life, particularly for members of security agencies like the LNP, LDEA, and LNFS, as their work exposes them to psychological challenges daily.
LMM health expert Janice Nancy Gray also expressed excitement over the mission’s accomplishments in Liberia, particularly the training in Buchanan.
“We come every two years and provide services across the country. It’s hard work, but I really enjoy it,” she said, adding, “I do this for our people. As a Liberian, it feels good to give back to our communities.”
LMM Psychologist Dr. Williametta Simmons echoed similar sentiments, noting that the mission is helping to break taboos surrounding mental health in Liberia.
“Our goal is to raise awareness about mental health and equip people with the knowledge to handle mental health challenges. You don’t have to be an expert to help someone. Learning basic tools can empower individuals to assist those in need,” she stated.
Concluding the event, BLESSING-Liberia Executive Director Eugene K. Myers commended the LMM 2025 Grand Bassa team for facilitating the Mental Health and CPR training.
According to Myers, many Liberians—including youth, adolescents, women, men, and the elderly—experience mental health stress due to family and peer pressures, economic hardship, health issues, or the loss of a loved one. He lamented the absence of structured support groups, which leaves many individuals to bear their struggles alone.
He expressed hope that participants would apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to establish support networks, proactively seeking out and assisting those in psychological distress within their communities.
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