Mental Health in Ghana: Empower Community Support Networks
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Background:
Mental health remains a critical yet often overlooked issue in Ghana. With limited resources and widespread stigma, individuals with mental health conditions face significant challenges in accessing care and support. According to the World Health Organization, mental health disorders account for 13% of the global burden of disease. Mental disorders account for 4 out of 10 leading causes of disability worldwide. WHO predicted that, in 2001, depression would be the leading cause of burden of disease by 2020, but already in 2018, depression had reached that level. Ghana is no exception this burden.
The WHO estimated in 2005 that of the 21.6 million Ghanaians, 2.1 million suffered mental health conditions, of which 650,000 were considered severe. A study in 2009 (Offori-Atta et al., 2010) showed 41% Ghanaians had one form of psychological distress and that this contributed to a 7% loss in GDP. Although the needs are obvious in Ghana, mental health services are severely underfunded, inadequate, and understaffed. Persons with mental disorders face stigma and discrimination in numerous ways in their daily lives.
This is where our Community Support Networks (CSNs) come into play, providing a lifeline for those in need and abused.
Photo: "Mental Health is Total Health" programming for Schizophrenia awareness, funded by the National Democratic Institute
Our Project Activities:
Between November 2022 and December 2022, MindFreedom Ghana successfully inaugurated CSNs in six regions: Ashanti, Greater-Accra, Northern, Upper-East, Eastern, and Ahafo. These networks, comprising persons with mental disabilities, caregivers, mental health professionals, social workers, and traditional and religious leaders, have been instrumental in implementing a range of activities aimed at improving mental health awareness and support. With an initial disbursement of $1,619 to each CSN in February 20, 2023, the CSNs were able to conduct the following activities:
- Media engagements to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
- Life skills training to empower individuals economically.
- Health walks to sensitize community members.
- Health screenings to monitor and improve general health.
- Engagements with social welfare staff to access government support.
Project Results:
The impact of these activities has been profound:
- Increased Empowerment and Advocacy: The CSNs have become formidable groups advocating for better treatment and support for mental health services.
- Capacitated Economic Viability: Skills training has enabled CSN members to earn an income, supporting their households and medication needs.
- Increased Health/Mental Health Awareness: Health screenings and counseling have improved members’ understanding of their health and their health aspirations.
- Reduced Stigma: Media and direct public engagements have encouraged individuals to speak openly about their conditions, reducing stigma.
Photo: CSN committee member meeting
Personal Stories:
Here are some testimonials from those who have benefited from our programs:
“I am not shy of my conditions anymore because the health walk has built my self-confidence and will not hide, but speak out about my condition without feeling any stigma.” – A.J.
“The community support network training on life skills and livelihood has taught me that despite my condition I can do something economically viable to enhance my lifestyle and independence.” – D.
“I thank MindFreedom Ghana and National Democratic Institute of the United States and the nurses for bringing us together as a network to learn, share information and ideas and speak against social exclusion.” – J.I.
“It seem like a dream to me now that with lots of discrimination, exclusion and stigmatization I’ve come against for many years, I feel a sense of pride and satisfaction that the community support network has come in to feel a gap that gives me hope and the avenue to be a part and parcel of the society as a human being” – A.B.
“I’m happy for the first time to speak on radio through MindFreedom support to share my mental health condition experiences and journey with the public. If not the support I had from the Network, I don’t know how things would’ve have turned out to be with me in my family and the community” - J.
Call to Action:
As part of its commitment in its mandate and to mark its 20th milestone anniversary in August 2024, MindFreedom Ghana is seeking to raise $80,000 to support the work of these existing 6 CSNs over the next two years and to establish CSNs in the remaining 10 regions of the country. This includes Volta, Oti, Western, Western North, Bono, Central, Upper West, Bono East, Bono and Savannah Regions. Your donation will help us continue to provide and facilitate essential services, empower individuals, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in Ghana. Together, we can make a difference!
Please donate today and help us build a brighter future for mental health and advance the rights of persons with mental disabilities in Ghana.
Major Activities to be Conducted:
- Establish 10 more CSNs in the remaining Regions in Ghana
- Support activity planning and implementation of all 16 CSNs in Ghana
- Engage in media activities for awareness creation and education
- Advocate for easy access to government social support and services
- Health screening and outreaches in the community
Disclaimer: MindFreedom Ghana is registered in Ghana, where GoFundme does not allow for direct fundraising, and thus MindFreedom Ghana will be utilizing a Denver, CO based 501(c)3 nonprofit, Miles for Mental Health (Tax EIN: 93-4501819), to raise the funds for them. All funds will be transferred to MindFreedom Ghana.
Organizer
Robbie Hodgson
Organizer
Denver, CO