Mohamed Dauda Kamara, a Sierra Leonean advocate for mental health, recently received the first humanitarian service award from Advocacy for Mental Health & Rehabilitation Sierra Leone (AMHRe SL) for his impeccable contributions towards Arts, Media, and Education in Sierra Leone. Kamara posted about the honor on his Facebook page, dedicating it posthumously to his late father, Mr. Dauda Sonta Kamara, who shaped him into the person he is today.
Dauda also expressed gratitude to an anonymous person who nominated him for the award, saying “To that person abroad who secretly nominated me for this award; I doff my hat to you. I am grateful I will do more.” He thanked his partner for attending the event and said, “The award is ours.” Finally, he expressed gratitude to God, saying, “Thank you, ya Allah. Thank you for the several talents, and thank you for making me dispense them well.”
Dauda’s dedication to mental health advocacy in Sierra Leone is commendable. Mental health is a critical issue in the country, which has suffered from years of civil war, the Ebola epidemic, and economic instability. The stigma associated with mental illness often prevents people from seeking help, and the resources to address mental health needs are limited. Kamara’s work in promoting mental health awareness and advocating for better mental health care is essential to improving the lives of many Sierra Leoneans.
