A visit to James Jenkins Dossen (JJD) Hospital in 2024 marked a life-changing moment for Josiah Davies, Jr. While waiting at the Partners in Health (PIH)- Liberia-supported facility in Maryland County, Josiah overheard a health worker leading an awareness session on mental health, particularly depression. The topic resonated with him, prompting deep reflection on his own life.
“I felt that it was my life story she was discussing,” Josiah recalled. Motivated to learn more, he approached the staff after the session and was introduced to PIH and County Health Team’s (CHT) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Accompaniment (MHPSSA) team. This encounter marked the beginning of his journey toward reclaiming his life.
Growing up in Liberia with a single father and five siblings, Josiah bore the heavy burden of family responsibilities from a young age. Determined to support his father, he worked tirelessly, harvesting crops from local farms and scavenging by the riverside. Yet, the emotional toll of his life, marked by trauma and uncertainty, left invisible scars. “This situation left me feeling depressed and hopeless,” he admitted. In a desperate search for relief, he turned to substance abuse, including alcohol, marijuana, and heroin, as a coping mechanism to numb the pain. Instead, it only deepened his struggles.
Years in the Shadows and a Wider Mental Health Crisis
By 1997, Josiah had become estranged from his family, and his life revolved around the substances he used to numb his pain. Although he returned home in 1999, the sense of disconnection lingered. His father had remarried, and Josiah struggled to adapt to the new family dynamic. He resisted responsibility for his own life and remained stuck in a cycle of self-destruction and despair for years.
Josiah’s story is far from unique in Liberia, where Mental health challenges are widespread, with at least 400,000 people affected by conditions such as depression, epilepsy, or addiction. Of these, approximately 130,000 suffer from severe forms of those issues. However, access to mental health care is limited due to a shortage of trained professionals. Since 2017, PIH Liberia has collaborated with the Maryland County Health Team to address this gap by shifting mental health care from facility-based services to community support systems. Between 2021 and 2023, this partnership provided essential care to 5,705 mental health beneficiaries in Maryland County, many of whom are youth battling addiction and other challenges.
On October 10, 2025, PIH Liberia’s mental health team, in collaboration with the Maryland County Health Team, celebrated World Mental Health Day in Maryland County. The activities included raising awareness about mental health, conducting screenings, and making referrals for disadvantaged youth. Josiah Fannoh, PIH’s Psycho-social Rehabilitation Officer, was actively promoting mental health awareness among disadvantaged youth during the celebration in one of Harper’s ghettos, wearing an orange-and-khaki vest. Photo by Ansumana O. Sesay/ PIH
The Road to Recovery
Josiah was diagnosed with depression by the MHPSSA team, and a comprehensive treatment plan was created for him. He began his medication and embarked on healing through accompaniment. By December 2024, he joined group counseling sessions, where he found a supportive community of individuals on similar recovery paths.
“Every Saturday, I attended the group sessions,” Josiah shared. “I learned more about addiction, healthy habits, substance use triggers, anger management, and other skills that equipped me with a new understanding.”
As his recovery progressed, he came to realize the importance of family and forgiveness in healing. “Topics like family relationships and healthy relationships made me understand that I was causing harm to myself and my family,” he explains. These new insights empowered him to rebuild trust and communication with his family.
A Renewed Life
After six months of dedicated effort in his recovery journey, Josiah has transformed his life. “My level of understanding has changed,” he declared proudly. He plans to improve his life and education further: “Building a better future is my goal.” Josiah’s story stands as a testament to the power of mental health awareness and community support in turning despair into hope.
