MONROVIA — The Psycho-social and Mental Health Division of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia on Friday, June 6, concluded a roundtable stakeholders’ discussion on the significance of psycho-social support to transitional justice.
The event was aimed at developing a coordinated national strategy to address the psycho-social needs of the Liberian public, particularly in the context of the country’s transitional justice efforts.
In his welcome remarks, the Executive Director of the Office, Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, welcomed the participants and emphasized the critical role psycho-social professionals play in the accountability and reconciliation process. “Your role is not just important—it is essential,” Dr. Barbu stated. “Healing our nation goes beyond legal accountability; it requires addressing the deep emotional and psychological wounds left by war and injustice,” the OWECC-L Director concluded.
The roundtable discussion provided a platform for experts to exchange insights, share field experiences, and identify key challenges in delivering psycho-social services. Participants agreed that a national psycho-social framework is needed to support victims, survivors, and communities affected by past atrocities. Such support is viewed as integral to restoring dignity, promoting mental well-being, and facilitating genuine reconciliation.
The Head of the Department of Psycho-social Services, Mettie Zeineddine, giving the overview of the roundtable, said the initiative was intended to underscore the Office’s commitment to a holistic approach to justice, one that incorporates mental health and psycho-social support as a core component.
As Liberia advances toward establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court and the National Anti Corruption Court, the involvement of psycho-social experts remains vital to ensuring that the healing process is inclusive, responsive, and people-centered. Participants also came from The Carter Center and the Lutheran Church Trauma Counselling Division.
