Youth-led · Liberian-built · Free at the point of contact
No one should suffer alone, in silence, without hope.
Letters to Strangers Liberia makes mental health support free, close and stigma-free, through the 9898 hotline, a Mobile Clinic and a network of care across Liberia.
Dear stranger,
Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone. Call 9898. It is free, it is confidential, and someone will listen, day or night.
Letters to Strangers Liberia
Need to talk now? Call 9898, free from any network in Liberia, 24 hours a day.
Why it matters
A heavy burden, and very few places to turn
Liberia's civil wars, the Ebola epidemic and persistent poverty left trauma that has mostly gone untreated. Young people carry much of the weight.
of Liberian adults had symptoms of PTSD in a national survey; 40% had symptoms of major depression.
psychiatrists were reported for the whole country in 2018–2019.
of Liberians are under 25. Three in four are under 35.
of people in our community survey said they would be embarrassed to seek mental health help.
Source: Letters to Strangers Liberia, community survey on mental health attitudes.
Our mission
Free, accessible, trauma-informed support for every Liberian
We reach those most left behind by poverty, geography and stigma, with one connected system of care.
A free call opens the door
The 9898 toll-free hotline offers confidential support and crisis help, 24/7.
Care comes to people
Our Mobile Clinic brings counselling and support to communities with no facility.
No one navigates alone
Warm referrals connect people to hospitals, safe houses, protection and legal aid.
Our reach so far
Figures from our records and public reporting
calls received from across Liberia and Africa
referrals made to onward care
people reached through mobile outreach in Montserrado, Bomi and Margibi
clinicians trained through our programmes
What we do
Programmes that meet people where they are
How to get support
Four steps, starting with one free call
- 1
Call 9898
Free from any phone in Liberia, day or night.
- 2
Talk to a counsellor
A trained Liberian counsellor listens without judgement.
- 3
Get connected
Support on the call, a referral, or a Mobile Clinic visit.
- 4
We follow up
We check in to make sure you reached the help you needed.
Our story
It began with young people writing to strangers
Letters to Strangers began in 2013 as a youth movement built on anonymous letter-writing. Letters to Strangers Liberia was founded in 2019, and opened the 9898 hotline in 2021. Today we are building what Liberia has never had: a youth-centred mental health system.
"Mental illness is not a curse. It is a condition. And in Liberia, it can be treated, if we build the systems to reach the people who need them."
Milestones
Building step by step
2019
Letters to Strangers Liberia established as a registered Liberian non-profit.
2021
9898 opens: Liberia's first youth-led toll-free mental health crisis line.
2026
World Mental Health Day campaign planned with the Ministry of Health Mental Health Unit.
Next
Move To Heal, Liberia's first dedicated youth mental health clinic, prepares to open.
Support the work
$17,500 opens Move To Heal and runs its first year.
$10,000 makes the clinic space ready and $7,500 covers Year 1 operations. You can also help keep 9898 answered, or fund the clinical supervision that keeps care safe.