Sierra Leonean Priest Cautions Religious against Shunning Help amid Mental Health Struggles

He noted that Priests and religious are often expected to remain strong, prayerful and available to others, yet they too experience “exhaustion, loneliness, anxiety, grief, depression and emotional pressure.” 

The Executive Director of Caritas Freetown in Sierra Leone observed that some carry the burdens of entire communities while silently struggling with their own pain.

He said the stigma surrounding mental illness in many societies and faith communities can make Priests and religious fear that admitting emotional difficulties will be seen as a sign of weakness, lack of faith or failure in their vocation. As a result, he said, “many suffer silently and delay seeking help.”

 “Depression is not evidence of weak faith, just as malaria, diabetes or a headache is not,” Fr. Konteh said, adding that while prayer remains essential, professional treatment, counselling, adequate rest and prescribed medication can also be “instruments of God’s healing.”

He identified acknowledging the need for help as an important step towards healing, noting that while not everyone has a mental disorder, everyone experiences emotional struggles, vulnerabilities and moments when support may be needed. 

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“There should be no shame in saying, ‘I am overwhelmed,’ ‘I am not well,’ or ‘I need help,’” he said.

The Sierra Leonean Priest called on the Church to create an environment where priests and religious can speak openly about their struggles without fear of judgement.

He urged the Church to “replace stigma with compassion, silence with conversation and judgement with understanding,” drawing on Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

In his reflection, Fr. Konteh  prayed for those who struggle silently and expressed hope that the Church would become “a safe and compassionate home where no one is ashamed to ask for help.”