Government launches mental health literacy project

Government in partnership with New Craig Hospital of Highland of Scotland in the United Kingdom (UK) has launched the mental health literacy project an innovation aimed at interactive mind stimulation and community participation

Eastern Province Medical Officer Dr Abel Kabalo says government appreciates Public Private Partnership that supplements its effort in bridging the gap in the mental health service delivery.

Dr Kabalo noted that the coming on board of New Craig Hospital of Highland of Scotland, United Kingdom (UK) to partner with Chipata General Hospital will go a long way in improving the conditions of patients that suffer from mental health.

He said this when he graced the occasion held at Chipata General Hospital (CGH) Psychiatry department, today.

He stated that Ghana was also part of the project as a mentor which introduced mental health management in communities of which Chipata’s Psychiatry department is to emulate.

“This intervention rides on the successful programmes that uses community model of managing patients with mental health need, as done in Ghana,” he said.

Dr Kabalo stated that the welfare of mental health patients have been neglected for a long time because people consider that a person cannot die from the condition.

He stated that mental illness also does not attract political influence hence the need to integrate the mental program saying under the program art psycho-therapy has been introduced as an innovation aimed at interactive mind stimulation as well as community participation.

“The Community model to be adopted as done in Ghana where the community is actively involved will help overcome mental disorders hence the need for us in Eastern province to do a good job to attract other regions to emulate,” he said.

And speaking at the same function Project lead from Scotland, Annie Manson expressed happiness over the coming up of three countries to overcome challenges faced with mental illness.

Ms Manson noted that such innovation to sensitize communities through drama, poetry and debates will assist those suffering overcome the burden and also be able to access services closer to them and also raise awareness within communities.

She stated that once the mental patients receive the support they will be able to come out especially that some of the conditions include depression and stress of which with support one can overcome.

And Ghana Link Project Lead, Randy Sedem Agbodo stated that mental health services on the continent deserves a facelift where partnerships are embraced.

Mr Agbodo said Ghana with a population of 25 million only has three psychiatric hospital, a situation found in other parts of Africa.

“Fortunately for Ghana the concept of community care was introduced some years back and has established well as communities are able to get a service within their community,” he added.