By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo
Tema, April 2, GNA — Health professionals have urged residents of the Tema Metropolis to take their mental health seriously and undergo regular screening for early detection and timely intervention.
Ms. Florence Efua Koomson, Health Research Officer at the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate (TMHD), made the call while presenting findings from a mental health screening exercise during the Directorate’s health performance review.
The research, conducted in 2025 in collaboration with Equilinks Counselling Psychological Support, covered Communities One, Four, and Seven in Tema. A total of 277 residents participated in the initiative, titled “Enhancing Mental Health Access in Tema Metro through Community Awareness and Support,” which sought to address persistent barriers to mental healthcare, including stigma and low awareness.
Findings indicated that 70 percent of respondents recorded normal stress levels, 21 percent had mild to moderate stress, and nine percent experienced severe to extremely severe stress. Among females, 72 percent had normal stress levels, 20 percent mild to moderate, and eight percent severe to extremely severe, while males recorded 67 percent, 22 percent, and 11 percent respectively.
On anxiety, 61 percent of respondents had normal levels, 22 percent mild to moderate, and 17 percent severe to extremely severe. Female respondents recorded 61 percent normal, 21 percent mild to moderate, and 18 percent severe to extremely severe anxiety, while males recorded 60 percent, 24 percent, and 16 percent respectively.
For depression, 71 percent of respondents had normal levels, 22 percent mild to moderate, and seven percent severe to extremely severe. Among females, 69 percent recorded normal depression levels and 24 percent mild to moderate, while males recorded 74 percent normal and 18 percent mild to moderate. Both genders recorded seven percent for severe to extremely severe depression.
Ms. Koomson noted that participants received immediate psychological first aid counselling from licensed psychologists, personalised feedback, and referrals for further care. She emphasised that the initiative marked a significant step in expanding grassroots mental health services and improving public awareness and sensitisation on mental health issues.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Deklau