Some mentally ill individuals are mentally stronger than those considered sane - Dr. Baning

Dr. Frank Baning, Director of Pantang Hospital, has claimed that some mentally ill patients have been treated and are doing far better than so-called sane people.

The mental health advocate stated that myths and prejudices have influenced how we perceive people with mental illnesses, even after they have received treatment.

He said that there is a well-known adage that some people believe that mentally ill individuals who have been treated have a ‘little kind of lunacy’ in them to scare small children, and that as a result, we do not value their recovery.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 2024 World Mental Health Day Durbar at the forecourt of the hospital, Dr. Frank Baning expressed worry at the stigma surrounding mental health.

Dr. Baning emphasised the need for Ghanaians to treat persons with mental illness just like they treat others because they are equally humans and even do better than those who see themselves as sane people.

"The myths and misconceptions about mental health have made the fight against stigmatisation so difficult. But mental health conditions can be likened to any other health conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, among others. There are people who have mental health conditions who are doing exceptionally well because they are taking their medications as prescribed. Indeed, several of them are doing better than the so-called sane people. So we have to deal with the stigma, educate the people, and create awareness," he said.