Sierra Leone, Oct. 7 -- In Kenema, Sierra Leone, play therapy is used at the Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Mother and Child Hospital to support children's mental well-being, address developmental delays, and meet emotional needs.

"Play can really benefit children's development and mental well-being," says Kemoh Kargbo, a play counselor at the MSF hospital in Kenema. "It fosters confidence and resilience, promotes trust from the children to the caregivers and lays a vital foundation for their mental health."

Although undervalued in some communities, play is important as it helps children regain confidence and physical strength, while enforcing bonding between children and their caregivers. This helps foster lifel...