February 18, 2026
Brave Heart Project Teachers Certification Ceremony Marks Major Milestone for Youth Mental Health in Sierra Leone
- Peace Oregbesan & Promise Taiwo, SRHIN
The Brave Heart Project reached a major implementation milestone with a successful certification ceremony celebrating our trained teachers advancing school-based mental health and substance use prevention in secondary schools across Freetown, Sierra Leone. The event reflected the progress we have made, the partnerships we have built, and our continued commitment to protecting the mental wellbeing of young people.
The certification ceremony was held at the Empower Africa Business Center, on 13th February, 2026, bringing together educators, policymakers, technical experts, and partners who have supported the project’s implementation. In total, 73 participants, including 61 teachers and 12 field researchers, were formally certified under the Brave Heart Project.
Advancing School-Based Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention
Launched in February 2025, the Brave Heart Project was implemented to respond to the growing challenge of substance use and mental health concerns among young people aged 10–24 years in Sierra Leone. Through our chapter in Sierra Leone, SRHIN, we implemented the project across four (4) slum communities and forty (40) schools in both urban and rural settings, ensuring participation from government and private institutions.
Each of the four targeted communities enrolled 100 children, resulting in 400 direct community beneficiaries, alongside broader reach through sensitization campaigns. We trained teachers and community champions using our structured, evidence-based Brave Heart Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention curriculum. Implementation was supported by regular fidelity monitoring processes to assess progress and impact.
Within twelve months, the project recorded significant improvements in awareness levels and positive behavioral change among participants.
National Leadership and Ministerial Endorsement
The ceremony was honored by the presence of the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Honourable Conrad Sackey, who attended as keynote speaker and honorary guest. He applauded the commitment of participating teachers and formally certified them, expressing strong confidence in the Brave Heart Project’s relevance to the national education system.
In his remarks, the Minister emphasized that addressing substance abuse requires collective responsibility from parents, teachers, religious institutions, government agencies, and young people themselves. He also highlighted ongoing ministry-supported talk shows and national awareness campaigns addressing drug and substance use challenges.
He encouraged the newly certified teachers and field researchers to remain committed, describing their role as essential in shaping a healthier, drug-free future for young people.
Parliamentary Support for Mental Health and Drug Prevention
We were also joined by Honourable Sahr Emerson Lamina, who congratulated the certified participants and reaffirmed Parliament’s support for strengthening laws and policies on mental health and drug and substance use prevention. His remarks reinforced the importance of aligning community-driven interventions with national policy efforts.
Strengthening Classroom Engagement and Student Voice
Speaking from experience, Serex Alfred, a trained teacher from the Brave Heart Project, described substance use as a serious and growing concern within schools. He shared how the training strengthened his understanding of prevention strategies and introduced a two-way communication model that encourages students to openly discuss drug-related issues.
This interactive approach has empowered students to share experiences, develop critical thinking skills, and make informed decisions, leading to noticeable improvements in behavior and classroom engagement.
A Strategic Milestone for Youth Mental Health in Sierra Leone
The presence of members of the Technical Working Group and other dignitaries reflected the broad support behind the Brave Heart Project. More than a closing milestone, the certification ceremony marked a clear transition toward sustained implementation and long-term impact.
As we move forward, the Brave Heart Project remains focused on strengthening schools as safe, supportive spaces where young people gain practical knowledge, life skills, and healthier choices, contributing to improved youth mental health outcomes across Sierra Leone.