Let's pay serious attention to mental healthcare

A psychiatrist at the Offinso Saint Patrick’ Hospital, Mr. Gideon Oduro-Amankwaah, has underlined the need for the nation to pay serious attention to mental healthcare and provide the resources to take good care of mental patients.

He said the stigmatization and dehumanizing treatment of people suffering from mental disorder by society, must stop.

He was speaking at a day’s workshop held for selected journalists in Kumasi on the Mental Health Act, passed by parliament three years ago.

It was meant to help them to have better understanding of the law and encourage them to shine media spotlight on mental health.

More than 40 journalists drawn from the electronic and print media attended the programme, which was jointly organized by the Mental Health Authority and the Health Ministry.

Mr. Oduro-Amankwaah reminded the district assemblies to take up the responsibility of providing care for the mentally sick found in public places.

He condemned the cruel and shabby treatment of the mentally sick admitted to the prayer camps and warned that offenders could be punished by the court.

He said it was important for everybody to recognize that those with mental disorder deserved humane and dignified treatment.

Ms. Abigail Frimpong, another psychiatrist at and the Obuasi Government Hospital, advised the media against graphic description and excessive details about heinous crimes including suicide, to prevent other people from imitating.