1. From Mental Health Policy to the Provision of Care: Challenges for INGOs in Liberia Jane Gilbert Independent Consultant Psychologist www.janegilbert.co.uk

3. Demographics Tropical climate 200” rain Population 3.8 million Under 15 47% Over 60 4% Average Life expectancy 45years 7 main ethnic groups Official language English

4. Demographics Child deaths under 5 111 per 1000 Population in poverty 83.7%

5. Brief History 1500’s - Portuguese came to the West Coast of Africa to trade in resources and in people 1800s - Emancipation of slaves. American Colonization Society decided to send freed slaves back to Africa January 1822 - first group of freed slaves arrived near Monrovia

6. 1847 - nation of Liberia was founded but conflicts between Settlers and indigenous Liberians regarding land. Mistrust and animosity continued up to the recent war. 1904 - Indigenous people allowed to be citizens of Liberia but excluded from political power 1979 - riots over food 1980 - overthrow of the Settler government by indigenous Liberians. Key Americo-Liberians were executed in public USA withdrew support for the country

7. 1980-89 - corrupt and repressive military rule under Samuel K. Doe 1989 December - civil war launched by Charles Taylor 1997 Elections - Taylor won but plundered Liberia’s resources, civil war continued 2003 -A peace accord was signed, setting up a transitional government with UN UN peacekeepers (UNMIL), 15,000 still in place 2005 presidential elections - President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf first woman President in Africa

8. 2005 – 100,000 combatants disarmed 2006, March – Taylor arrested, now currently on trial in The Hague for abuses in Sierra Leone 2006 – Truth and Reconciliation Commission established