Accra, Dec. 24, GNA – Ghana’s mental health system has a wide treatment gap of about 98 per cent, with only three psychiatric hospitals, which are located in the Southern part of the country.
The problem is coupled with the high cost of treatment, which deters most people from seeking orthodox treatment, thereby resorting to prayer camps and other forms of unorthodox treatment, mostly under unhygienic and inhumane conditions.
A clinical psychologist, Mrs. Dora Awuah, stated these at the launch, in Accra, of a Foundation, which seeks to highlight mental health issues for prevention and harness support for the wellbeing of patients.
“In Ghana, it is estimated that about 25 percent of the population have some form of mental disorders, with depression being the most prevalent,” she stated.
Mrs Awuah noted that mental health problems were largely demonised in the country because of the wide knowledge gap and lack of awareness.
Therefore, her Foundation would use community-based educational and sensitisation programmes, among other interventions, to empower the populace to access the few treatment services available.
"Again, such programmes will reduce stigma against mental illness and also enhance their early identification and treatment."
Mental health issues, she said, had received global attention in recent times, and it was estimated that by the year 2020, mental illness would be a leading contributor to the global burden of diseases.
She explained that most adult mental disorders were known to have their onset in adolescence at an average age of 14 years; "yet majority of these conditions are not detected early for treatment."
According to WHO factsheet (2018), about 90 per cent of suicide cases occurred among adolescents from low-income and middle-income countries, including Ghana.
The clinical psychologist said the high prevalence and debilitating effect of adolescent mental health challenges made the work of the Foundation imperative to promote sound mental health and to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems.
“It is identified that many of the existing not-for-profit organisations are currently facilitating and augmenting the existing treatment interventions, she said.
“However, there is not much emphasis on preventive interventions.
“Secondly, their target population for support is predominantly adult.
“The Dora Awuah Foundation, a non-profit organization, has, therefore, been established to fill the vacuum, with its motto being “Sound Mind, Progressive Nation”.
Special emphasis, she said, would be placed on adolescents, and issues such as Depression and Substance Abuse.
It would ensure stakeholder collaboration with schools, communities, religious and other organised groups; as well as facilitate access to counselling and treatment.
Professor Joseph Bediako Asare, the Board Chairman of the Foundation and a Former Chief Psychiatrist, appealed to the public to accept people with mental disorders in order to end stigmatisation.
GNA
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