What We Do
Five ways we create change.
Community education, youth advocacy, women's rights, policy engagement, and HIV prevention — working together toward a Sierra Leone where health and human rights are protected.
Our approach
Change happens at every level — from a single conversation to national policy.
No single program can address mental health stigma and exclusion on its own. AMHHR combines five connected areas of work — each reinforcing the others — to move from awareness, to support, to lasting protection.
Changing the conversation
Community Education
Misunderstanding is one of the biggest barriers to mental health support in Sierra Leone. We run workshops and outreach in schools, communities, churches, and other everyday spaces to challenge stigma and replace misinformation with understanding.
- Community workshops and awareness sessions
- School and youth-center outreach
- Public conversations that make mental health easier to talk about
Community Education
Bo District, Sierra Leone
Building the next generation of voices
Youth Advocacy
Young people are often left out of conversations that affect them most. We equip youth with the knowledge and confidence to speak up on mental health and to organize within their own communities.
- Peer education and youth leadership training
- Safe spaces for young people to discuss mental health openly
- Support for youth-led advocacy initiatives
Youth Advocacy
Bo District, Sierra Leone
Centering lived experience
Women & Human Rights
Women affected by mental health conditions can face compounded stigma and exclusion. We create spaces where women can speak openly, understand their rights, and advocate for themselves and one another.
- Peer support and listening circles for women
- Rights-based education on mental health and dignity
- Advocacy led by and for women in affected communities
Women & Human Rights
Bo District, Sierra Leone
Turning voices into change
Policy Advocacy
Awareness alone does not change systems. We work with policymakers, institutions, and partners to strengthen mental health protections and advance human rights across Sierra Leone.
- Direct engagement with policymakers and government offices
- Collaboration with partner organizations and civil society
- Advocacy for stronger legal protections and access to care
Policy Advocacy
Bo District, Sierra Leone
Health, dignity, and stigma reduction
HIV Prevention & Awareness
HIV status, like mental health, should never be a source of shame or exclusion. Alongside our other advocacy work, we support HIV education, referrals to testing and prevention services, and stigma reduction for people living with HIV.
- HIV education and awareness outreach in schools and communities
- Referrals to testing, prevention, and treatment support services
- Stigma reduction through storytelling and community support networks
HIV Prevention & Awareness
Bo District, Sierra Leone
Be part of the change
Every program relies on people willing to show up.
Volunteer, partner with us, or support the work directly — there are meaningful ways to take part at every level.