Sheknatu Bangura Joins Mental Health Walk …Journey to Miss Freetown
FREETOWN, OCT. 16th (232news) –
By Sahr Ibrahim Komba
Miss Freetown contestant Sheknatu Isata Bangura has joined health and community stakeholders in a walk to raise awareness of mental health, using her pageant platform to promote compassion, advocacy and community action.
On Saturday, 10 October 2026, Sheknatu, who is representing the Central Area in the upcoming Miss Freetown Beauty Pageant, joined the World Mental Health Day health walk, which began at Youyi Building in Brookfields and ended at Family Kingdom.
The walk brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, community leaders and members of the public. Participants highlighted the importance of mental health and urged citizens to take practical action in supporting one another.
For Bangura, participation in the walk reflects her belief that beauty should go beyond appearance.
“Beauty should be paired with intelligence, compassion and action,” she said.
As a fifth-year medical student and Miss Freetown contestant, she said her advocacy is driven by a commitment to service and meaningful community impact. She explained that her journey to Miss Freetown is not only about winning a crown, but about using the platform to speak on issues affecting Freetonians, including mental health.
The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”
WHO also stresses that mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders; it is an essential part of overall health, with the organisation noting that “there is no health without mental health.”
This year’s World Mental Health Day theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” emphasises the importance of listening to people with lived experience of mental health conditions and allowing their voices to shape support services and policies.
According to Shekanatu, her key messages on the Miss Freetown stage is the need to promote open conversations about mental health. She highlighted three important dimensions of mental well-being:
- Emotional well-being: the ability to manage, process and express feelings such as joy, sadness, stress and anger.
- Psychological well-being: cognitive functioning, self-esteem, resilience and the ability to perceive and solve problems.
- Social well-being: the ability to build healthy relationships, connect with others and feel a sense of belonging in the community.
She said these areas show that mental health affects every aspect of daily life, from personal relationships and education to work, family life and community participation.
The Central Miss Freetown contestant Sheknatu called on Freetonians to check on their loved ones, listen without judgment and speak openly about mental health.
“Most importantly, let us remind one another that it is okay to ask for help,” she said. “Everyone’s mind and story matters.”
She added that communities can help reduce stigma by creating safe spaces for honest conversations and by encouraging people to seek support early.
As the Miss Freetown pageant approaches, Sheknatu says her campaign will continue to focus on advocacy, education and service proving that a crown can be a powerful tool for positive change.
