Tema, Jan. 5, GNA – The Department of Social Welfare, Ghana (DSW), in partnership with SOS Children’s Village in Tema Newtown, has educated the youth in Manhean on mental health care as part of a family strengthening of project.
Mr Reginald Ankrah, a Social Development Officer with the Department of Social Warfare and Community Development (DSWCD), speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview after the training said that mental health is the state of wellbeing of an individual.
He said anything that distorted the way of thinking, feeling and acting could be termed as a mental health disorder.
Mr Ankrah identified substance or drug abuse as one of the causes of mental health illness and advised that people should take prescribed drugs and visit the hospital timely when sick.
He entreated young people to desist from drinking alcohol, smoking and involving themselves in promiscuous living.
Mr Ankrah added, “even though substance abuse disorder is one of the mental health disorders, it does not affect only the brain but the whole body.”
He said the fight against mental health issues could be won through sensitization hence the need to roll out the Child Protection Programme for the children.
“We must call for a collaborative project with government and other agencies to help win the war over mental health and its related issues,” he stressed.
He said good mental strength, love, communication, togetherness, motivation and extending a helping hand to people were the greatest cure one could have for mental health issues.
Mr Dzidzorm Owusu Agbeh, the Project Coordinator for SOS Children’s Village, told the GNA that it was important to discuss mental health to take care of children who are from vulnerable homes.
He said education on mental health must start from homes through the relationship between parent and children, adding that families with people suffering from mental illness should seek help from the psychiatric hospitals.
“Sometimes people with suicidal tendencies approach us and we have to refer them to the councillors for counselling programme, we must pay more attention because a lot of people are going through mental health situations,” he said.
He added that children must be able to speak up on mental health issues with their parents and “if they can do that then part of the issue would be solved.”
Mr Owusu urged families to desist from neglecting their children if they found themselves in such situations.
He advised that mental health awareness should be effective and consistent among the youth.
GNA