Care and Action in Mental Health for Africa (CAMHA), Ghanaian based healthcare non-governmental organisation (NGO) yesterday launched its annual games in Accra.
It will involve three psychiatric hospitals in the country – Accra, Pantang and Ankaful and some rehabilitation centres, with the theme: ‘Suicide prevention through social inclusion and sports’.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Project Coordinator of CAMHA, Ebenezer Akonnor Fianko said the games would be held on October 24 in Accra with participants competing in volleyball, football and table tennis.
He stated that the involvement of physical, formal and structured recreational competitive activity in any form could be an approved method for recovery in mental health care.
According to Mr Fianko, there was some level of stigma and exclusion towards those suffering from mental health and disorders.
A lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Samuel Adjorlolo, said depression, anxiety and substance abuse were symptoms of mental disorder and suicidal behaviours which could be curtailed through sports.
He said it was important that persons with mental health disorders are involved in activities such as sports which have the tendency of reducing the risk associated with mental health.
Dr Adjorlolo said sports has the tendency of reducing the prevalence of mental health disorders and also reduce suicidal behaviours.
He said sporting events contributes to reduce rates of suicide at both individual and societal level, thereby calling on the Ghana Football Association to bring back the Ghana Premier League which has also been found to be promoting people’s mental health and reducing suicide.
He observed that school based sports also helps in saving lives by reducing the feeling of hopelessness among students.
BY JEMIMA ESINAM KUATSINU
