Did you know breaking the silence on mental health is the first step toward building a healthier and more compassionate Ghana?
In Ghana, mental health issues are often overshadowed by stigma and cultural misconceptions. Raising awareness plays a vital role in dispelling myths, fostering understanding, and ensuring people receive the necessary support. Taking deliberate steps can help build a society that prioritizes mental well-being.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 practical ways to advance mental health awareness in Ghana, helping individuals, communities, and the nation take meaningful strides toward better mental health for all.
1. Increase Government Funding for Mental Health Care
Mental health care in Ghana receives only 1.4% of the national health budget, significantly limiting available services and awareness efforts. To address this, an increase in government funding is crucial.
More resources can be directed toward hiring additional mental health professionals, expanding services nationwide, and running nationwide awareness campaigns.
This can be done by reallocating funds from other health sectors or introducing targeted grants. This investment will help tackle the growing mental health challenges and improve care accessibility.
2. Expand Access to Community-Based Mental Health Services
Decentralizing mental health care is key to reaching underserved areas in Ghana. While the country has 1,016 community-based facilities, many regions remain underserved.
Expanding these facilities and training local health workers can make mental health support more accessible, diminishing reliance on distant hospitals, and improving outcomes nationwide.
3. Train More Mental Health Professionals
Ghana currently has just 39 psychiatrists and 26 psychologists to serve its population, highlighting the severe shortage of mental health professionals.
To address this, the government should invest in more training programs and offer incentives, such as scholarships and competitive salaries, to attract and retain professionals in the field.
4. Launch Anti-Stigma Campaigns
Cultural stigma around mental illness remains a significant barrier to seeking help in Ghana. Nationwide awareness campaigns should be launched through schools, workplaces, and media to change cultural stigma.
These campaigns can educate the public, challenge harmful stereotypes, and encourage open conversations to reduce the fear and discrimination faced by those with mental health conditions.
5. Partner with Faith-Based and Traditional Healers
Due to cultural beliefs in Ghana, many people seek mental health support from faith-based and traditional healers. Partnerships, such as those between MEHSOG and GHAFTRAM, can bridge the gap between traditional practices and modern mental health care.
Additional training for healers on humane treatment and integrating medical approaches can help ensure better care and reduce harmful practices.
6. Strengthen Legal Protection for People with Mental Illness
Shackling and abuse of individuals with mental illness continue to be significant issues in Ghana, undermining their dignity and rights. To combat this, stronger enforcement of human rights laws is essential to protect people with mental health conditions from inhumane treatment.
Strict legal measures can prevent abuse, ensure that individuals are treated with respect, and promote fair access to mental health care. Upholding these protections is crucial for fostering a compassionate and just healthcare system.
7. Incorporate Mental Health Education into School Curriculums
Introducing mental health education in schools is essential for reducing stigma and promoting early recognition of mental health issues.
Integration of topics such as emotional well-being, stress management, and mental health awareness into school curricula can help students develop a better understanding and learn how to seek help early.
Collaborating with the Ministry of Education will ensure that these lessons are widely implemented, helping to create a generation that is more aware, empathetic, and supportive of mental health care.
8. Provide Subsidies for Mental Health Medications and Services
In Ghana, patients are responsible for approximately 20% of the costs of mental health services and medications, creating a significant financial barrier. This burden can prevent many individuals from seeking necessary treatment.
To address this, the government and NGOs should introduce subsidies to reduce the cost of services and medications. By making mental health care more affordable, these efforts will ensure that individuals from all income levels can access the support they need for their mental well-being.
9. Use Technology to Improve Accessibility
Telemedicine platforms can significantly improve access to mental health care, particularly in rural areas where resources are limited. Ghana can bridge the gap in mental health service delivery when there is leverage in mobile apps, online consultations, and virtual therapy sessions.
Global models, such as telepsychiatry in India and telemedicine in Kenya, have shown how technology can enhance accessibility and reach underserved populations. Ghana could adapt these models to extend mental health support to more communities across the country.
10. Empower NGOs and Grassroots Organizations
Organizations like MEHSOG are playing a vital role in providing mental health support and advocating for policy changes in Ghana. To scale up these efforts, NGOs must collaborate more closely with the government and international agencies.
Strengthened partnerships can amplify the reach of mental health initiatives, support grassroots efforts, and help build a more effective, accessible mental health system across the country.
Summary
As we strive to promote better understanding, empathy, and accessible resources, every individual, community, and institution plays a crucial role in dismantling stigma and providing effective support systems.
We can enhance a mentally healthier future for all by encouraging open conversations, embracing education on mental health, and advocating for policy changes.
Your involvement can make a difference—whether it’s through supporting mental health initiatives, volunteering, or simply spreading awareness, every action counts in building a society that prioritizes mental well-being.
Let’s continue the work together, ensuring that no one has to face mental health challenges alone.
By: Sylvia Tenkoramaa Oppong
