Ministry of Health and the Mental Health Authority have yesterday [Monday] launched this year’s Mental Health Week Celebration at the International Press Center under the theme, “Mental Health at the work place’’, a situation stated as prevalent at every work place due to social challenges.
The week-long event begun Saturday October, 7 with clean-up exercise, Press launch and public lecture at Accra International Conference Center, Open Day at the Mental Health Facilities across the country, durbar with chiefs, float at Tarkoradi and debate. The activities will be climax with thanks giving service, Sunday 15th October, 2017 .
Dr. Kwasi Osei who is the Director of Disabilities Right appealed to the media to advocate on mental health and its associate issues.
He said a mentally healthy working environment is essential for everyone and every business. However, mental health problems are common at the workplace and are one of the leading causes of sickness leading to frequent absenteeism.
Research report has it that, at least one out of five people at a workplace experiences a mental health problem, thus the reason many employers are developing policies to support a healthy workforce.
He emphasized that we must not associate mental health to spiritual, superstitious and witchcrafts but a medical issue which can be treated through drugs and psycho approach. He further underscored that, it is unfortunate pastors and some spiritual healers with good intentions to treat these mental health victims end up chaining, handcuffing and flogging them.
Ghana has ascribed that any individual or group of individuals who will be caught of the above act, abuses the right of the victim and is liable for prosecution and fine to the tune of not less than GHC 6, 000 or a jail term of not less than two years.
Research conducted in 2009 showed that 41 per cent of Ghanaians are suffering from mental issues but 19 per cent are suffering from mental illness which depression, smoking of weeds, marijuana and road accidents were the causes.
Source: Nana Ama Sarfo/ritefmonline.org
