The Mental Health Authority (MHA) will soon roll out strategies to keep persons with mental health off the street in order to restore their dignity.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Professor Pinaman Appau, therefore, said it was necessary for all stakeholders to support advocacy efforts and provide logistical support in implementing this well-planned strategy.
She was speaking at the launch of World Mental Health Day (WMHD) in Accra yesterday on the theme; “Mental Health is a universal human right.”
Marked every October 10, this year’s commemoration seeks to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.
The MHA estimates that about 10,000 mentally challenged persons currently roam the streets of Ghana.
Of the figure, 2,000 can be found in Accra and Tema both major cities in the Greater Accra Region.
Efforts begun by the MHA in 2017 to get mentally challenged persons off the streets had stalled due to lack of funds.
Professor Appau indicated the readiness of the authority to support all efforts aimed at taking all mentally-challenged persons off major streets across the country.
“We must rally all stakeholders to support advocacy to improve the overall well-being of our brothers and sisters who have been neglected for far too long,” she stated.
The CEO in expressing worry over the alarming increase in mental illnesses in the country, implored members of the public to show care and compassion to each other to complement advocacy efforts.
“Mentally challenged persons often find themselves among the most vulnerable in society and it is our duty as a community to ensure their protection, well-being and overall mental health,” she urged.
Furthermore, Prof. Appau called on the media to use their platform in driving positive actions towards quality mental healthcare delivery.
The chairperson for the MHA Board, Madam Estelle Appiah, in her remarks noted that this year’s theme for WMHD placed the responsibility on all to pay attention to mental health rights.
She acknowledged challenges in the provision of quality mental healthcare in the country including stigma and discrimination, inadequate funding, insufficient workforce among others.
“Mental health is a universal human right that must be given the attention it rightfully deserves. We must all come together and support the recognition of mental health as a critical component of overall well-being and development,” she urged.
As part of activities to mark WMHD celebrations, the MHA would hold community, school and media engagements across selected regions in the country.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH AND EMMANUELLA AKIMBI
