Mental Health Awareness Month: Mental well-being for all, turning awareness into action
Each May, Ghana and the world deliberately turn the spotlight on a long-neglected topic - mental health.
It affirms the fact that holistic health can not be achieved in the absence of mental health, and further reiterates that mental well-being is a fundamental right for all citizens.
Why does this matter?
In Ghana, mental health conditions affect about 2.4 million people (WHO, 2023), yet fewer than 30 per cent access any form of care, often due to human and financial resource constraints, myths (Daliri et al., 2024; Nkansah & Daitey, 2026), poor insight, family pressures, cultural and spiritual misconceptions, and limited access to services (Daliri et al., 2024).
In this Gen Z era, many still view mental illness as a spiritual curse or a sign of moral or personal weakness.
This is especially true for mood disorders such as depression and clients with addictive diseases, bulldozing many individuals to remain silent till their problems escalate and cost lives, families and productivity.
In a 2017 study, the WHO reported that depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It further estimated the loss to disability in depression at $ 1 trillion annually (WHO, 2017).
Given this narrative, one might expect stigmatising attitudes to have declined. Instead, the problem persists, with most initiatives producing limited results.
Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to challenge stigma through facts, compassion and action.
During its maiden launch in 2024, the former CEO of the Mental Health Authority, Prof. Pinaman Appau outlined its core objectives: raising awareness, combating stigma, celebrating recovery, and making a true difference for Ghanaians. The event emphasises that mental well-being is inseparable from overall health.
Purple is the official colour — blending blue’s calm with red’s energy.
It signals compassion, hope, spirituality and resilience. From Accra to rural CHPS compounds, purple banners and accessories are going up to show solidarity and drive awareness.
This year, the Mental Health Authority, under the leadership of Dr Eugene K. Dordoye, a consultant psychiatrist, declared “Mental Well-being for all, Turning Awareness into Action” as the theme for the month-long commemoration.
Dr Dordoye acknowledged that despite increased awareness of mental health conditions, treatment challenges with accessibility still persist, hence the resolve of the authority to resort to technology in underserved populations.
The core objectives go beyond awareness to real change. For instance, reducing stigma remains a core focus
Mental health professionals are actively confronting myths through education and promoting a human rights approach to care, as outlined in the Mental Health Act 2012 and WHO’s Quality Rights Programme.
Early screening is also expanding, with community outreaches now using simple tools like the SRQ-20 and DASS-21 to catch signs of depression and anxiety before they escalate.
Education efforts reach from schools to marketplaces, where staff teach practical coping strategies — rest and sleep, the role of support from loved ones, proper nutrition, suicide prevention and when to seek professional help.
At the same time, the month highlights the work of mental health staff in the peripheries, especially psychiatric nurses and community mental health officers who form the backbone of care in districts.
Across districts, the month comes alive through action. Community durbars, outreaches and campaigns offer free screening and psychoeducation in open spaces.
Health workers hold radio talk shows to answer public questions in local languages. Schools run sessions on stress management and peer support for students.
What it looks like on the ground
At the facility level, staff capacity building workshops focus on creating a therapeutic milieu — an environment that promotes healing through structure, safety and respect.
The month wraps up with an open day throughout psychiatric hospitals, departments and units on May 27 and a carnival on May 29 to promote awareness in a more public engaging way.
Not being oblivious of the fact that maternal mental health conditions affect five out of 10 mothers (MHA, 2026) and studies among adolescent mothers indicate a higher prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression and sometimes suicidal ideations ( Awuku J. A., 2025).
The impact of this intensive commemoration is practical. A young mother learns she can seek help for postpartum depression without fear. A teacher recognises anxiety in a student and refers them early. A family stops judging and isolating a relative and begins supporting their recovery at home.
Responsibility for everyone
Mental health is not only the job of health workers.
Teachers can notice behavioural changes in students.
Religious leaders can offer compassionate guidance alongside clinical care. Employers can foster supportive workplaces.
Neighbours can check in on each other instead of looking away. Mental health thrives in communities where people feel safe to speak and be heard.
The true impact of Mental Health Awareness Month lies in the sustained change it drives beyond May, including better service delivery, stronger policies and improved community attitudes.
It ought to encourage districts to integrate mental health into primary care and help families view help-seeking as a strength rather than shame.
Ultimately, the month reminds us that healing starts with understanding and early action.
When mental health is treated with the same urgency as physical health, communities become places where people can recover with dignity and contribute fully.
This May, wear purple.
Start the conversation. Be part of the solution.
The writer is a Clinical Nurse Specialist - Community Mental Health and Rehabilitation, Ga-South Municipal Health Directorate.
