By P.K.Yankey
Takoradi (W/R), Oct. 13, GNA – The Sekondi-Takoradi Cluster Compassion International Ghana Assisted Project has marked the World Mental Health Day celebrations, with a call on the government and society to prioritise access to mental health and to break the stigma surrounding the illness.
The day, which was celebrated on the theme: “Mental health services in catastrophes and emergencies,” brought together caregivers, participants, counsellors, Ministers of the gospel, mental health experts, school children and the media.
The day also coincided with the youth conference Impact Camp 2025 for children in the Sekondi-Takoradi Cluster.
Madam Mary Owusu Manu, the Western Regional Mental Health Coordinator, said mental health care should never stop when emergencies begin.
She called on the government to make mental health facilities easy to reach and create a safe space for open conversations between parents, teachers, and caregivers.
Madam Manu said mental health patients needed care and support and advised society to send such patients to the health facilities early enough to prevent further complications.
The Very Reverend Isaac Kwame Ghartey, the Superintendent Minister of the Anaji Estate Christ the King Methodist Church called on the State and church, to offer psychological support to mental health patients in the country.
He said it was not every ailment that was spiritual; hence society must look at the physical dimensions of illnesses which often degenerate into mental health problems.
He reminded Ministers of the Gospel about their task of not only preaching about Heaven to their congregation, but use their pulpits to teach about total wellness, including mental health issues and offer counselling sessions to such patients in their respective churches.
He said almost everyone was affected by mental health illness in one way or the other and appealed to society to avoid stigmatisation and embrace mental health patients with love and care.
Mr Isaac Kwesi Ankomah, the Project Director and Clinical Psychologist, Sekondi-Takoradi Cluster Compassion International Ghana Assisted Projects, said access to mental health services was a matter of right, dignity and justice and stressed the need to protect the minds of children and the youth.
He said Sekondi-Takoradi had started a journey to make their cluster a model of mental health inclusion, resilience and compassion.
Obahyema Eboh Kra II, the Queenmother of the Mpohor Traditional Area, advised the youth to refrain from the intake of drugs which was one of the leading causes of mental health illness.
She also asked society to avoid the stigmatisation and neglect of mental health patients and rather offer counselling, care, and support to them.
GNA
Edited by Justian Paaga/ Christabel Addo