The final deliberation of the Sister Sakiina Smith Haaruun was very emotional. I am appealing to the people of the Gambia to take matter every seriously. With worldwide atrocities such as natural flooding, famines, civil wars and social inequalities black extended families are being displace which give rise to instability. These, undoubted will give rise to mental ill health. Education on mental health is paramount and this should begin on the very top: by this I mean the Ministry of Health most put mental health education as a priority on the way forward to put in place policies and produces, and for the development update and current mental health act. As human beings we need to recognize that each community there are leaders. These leaders have a responsibility to care for those in need and anyone experiencing mental illness certainly need for structured care and support in a healthy therapeutic environment. After all the Gambia is a muslim country and we should all be aware of the teachings of Islam with reference to taking care of those in need be it ZAKAAT. As displace African Muslim born in the Island of Jamaica and now residing in England for the past 34 years I now have the yearning to return back to Africa and have chosen the Gambia as my home. I am able and really to work in what ever area of need base on my skills and abilities but, there is a need for urgent care policies to put in place. What I am about to say I hope will not be taken out of context. The fact that mental health nurses are the once running'' the present show'', my suggestion is that they given scholarship and sponsorship to be train as consultant psychiatric. These will be the starting point for education program. There is now a need to train more people to become psychiatric nurses and this could start with some of the present nursing auxiliaries. I am appealing with all my heart to the Secretary of state for health Mr Abdoulie Sallah that he starts a dialogue with the team with the unit to become aware of the present nature of mental illness in the Gambia. In conclusion I would like to say that this being my visit visit to Africa per say the Gambia as been an eye opener and educational experience for me. The host population of calm, peaceful and tolerant and their hospitabiable, It is with this spirit that the above be extended to those individuals who are experiencing mental illness. I hope and pray that this article starts chain reaction of positive changes in the field of psychiatry. We have the to move beyond the mind set of fear and powerlessness. We must be open and willing to learn. As Awo Osun Kunle says ' You most never be stupid enough to say, or smart to admit, you know what someone else is talking about. The moment you do your learning stops. You can learn something valuable from everyone, in every situation, so the matter is I am opening willing to learn''. We should remember. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------