By Dennis Peprah, GNA
Sunyani, (Bono), June 9, GNA-Mr Bright Tekyi, the Programs Director of the Trust Jesus Mental Health Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation has urged churches to put a spotlight on mental health and wellbeing.
He said churches could do so by educating their members and the public on the need for them to stick to healthy mental health practices.
Mr Tekyi made the call in a statement issued, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, after the foundation celebrated its purple month in Accra on Sunday June 7, 2026.
“Let’s turn awareness to action. This is because awareness is not enough; it’s time to take action since early detection prevents symptoms from worsening thereby enhancing quality of life”, he advised.
Mr Tekyi indicated that most of the mental health challenges people went through was because they never took action, when the signs showed and thereby degenerated their condition.
Madam Mary Wormenor, the President of the Foundation also called on the clergy to promote mental health awareness by incorporating mental health education into their programs and services.
Churches must therefore create a supportive environment that fostered emotional and psychological wellbeing, she urged.
Mad Wormenor indicated that about 70 percent of the population were professing Christians and thereby placing the church in a unique position to educate and create greater awareness about mental health and wellbeing.
She urged church leaders “to leverage this influence to promote mental health education and help reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions.”
Mad Wormenor said that the church could thrive when its members were healthy, empowered, and able to contribute meaningfully to societal development.
She said mental wellbeing remained essential to the overall growth and productivity of individuals and communities.
Mad Mercy Ofori, a member of the Mental Health Advocacy Team of the foundation noted that: “Mental health is crucial as conditions affect one’s overall quality of life”.
Therefore, overwhelmed with mental battles, support and understanding of mental health from those around us can make a significant difference.
“So don’t wait to break, let’s get talking”, she stated.
In a webinar session, Mr Seth Wormenor, the Advocacy Director of the foundation indicated that mental health was a state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being that affected “how we think, feel, and act”.
He observed that mental health influenced how an individual handled stress and related to others, made decisions and coped with life’s challenges.
Mr Wormenor led discussions on the importance of mental health, signs and symptoms of mental health disorders, why early symptoms recognition matters, coping strategies, and encouraging support within communities.
As part of the celebration, the foundation visited the Amazing Grace Seventh Day Adventist church, Charis Christian Family Chapel, Wonder Chapel International, among others.
The month-long celebration ended with a Webinar on the topic ‘Understanding mental illness”.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Dennis Peprah
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