Finding Balance in a Fast Paced Non-Profit World

Every year on October 10, we come together for World Mental Health Day—an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilize efforts to support mental well-being globally. While this day is crucial for advancing conversations on mental health, one group that often flies under the radar in these discussions is the development industry.

You may not hear about their experiences often, but for development workers, the pressure to "do good" comes at a cost. Imagine being on the front lines of crisis response—dealing with extreme poverty, conflict, and the daily fight to uplift communities. Imagine the toll this can take on one's mental health. In fact, a staggering 50-60% of aid workers report suffering from depression, anxiety, or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Yet, the topic of mental health in development work is rarely addressed head-on. Why?
Many development workers feel they must project resilience, which can prevent them from seeking help. The stigma surrounding mental health is even stronger in countries like Sierra Leone, where OneVillage Partners operates. Here, mental health conversations have only just begun to emerge in public forums—marking a major step forward but also signalling how far there is to go.

How OneVillage Partners is Shaping Change in Sierra Leone

At OneVillage Partners, we understand the importance of addressing mental health in a holistic way. In Sierra Leone, where the scars of civil war and the Ebola epidemic are still fresh, trauma can persist for years, affecting both development staff and the communities they serve.

In response, we’ve integrated safe, open mental health communication into our community-led programs. By opening up discussions on well-being and offering mental health breaks to staff, we aim to break the stigma and create safe spaces for both our field staff and the rural communities we work with. Our approach is simple: empowerment through partnership.

OneVillage Partners is committed to being part of the solution, and while mental health remains a sensitive topic in Sierra Leone, we are witnessing the beginnings of a shift in perception. Our teams are learning how to balance their mental well-being with the demands of fieldwork, and we’re proud to be a part of that change.

This isn’t just a problem for individuals—it affects the communities development workers serve. When mental health issues are left unchecked, burnout and compassion fatigue can set in, reducing the effectiveness of development work. For an organization like ours, supporting staff mental health is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of the work we do.

What’s Next?

On this World Mental Health Day, OneVillage Partners calls for a renewed focus on mental health support within the development sector. We must make mental health care more accessible and break the cycle of stigma that prevents people from seeking help. While the topic may be newly relevant in countries like Sierra Leone, we’re confident that progress is on the horizon.

If you’re a fellow development worker, or someone passionate about mental health, remember: You don’t need to wait for a crisis to prioritize your well-being. It’s okay to talk about the hard days. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to take time for self-care—even when you're focused on caring for others.

At OneVillage Partners, we believe that mental health isn’t just a conversation—it’s an ongoing commitment.