This study complements the growing amount of research on the psychosocial impact of war on chil-dren in Sierra Leone by examining local perceptions of child mental health, formal <span class="attribute-to-highlight medbox">and</span> informal care systems, help-seeking behaviour <span class="attribute-to-highlight medbox">and</span> stigma <span class="attribute-to-highlight medbox">Yoder</span> et al. Int <span class="attribute-to-highlight medbox">J</span> Ment Health Syst (2016) 10:48 DOI 10.1186/s13033-016-0080-8