Mental health fundamental right, not a privilege — Ga East Municipal Medical Superintendent
The Ga East Municipal Hospital has commemorated World Mental Health Day with a call on stakeholders to make mental health care accessible, compassionate, and integrated into the country’s emergency response systems.
Held on the theme: “Access to Service — Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”, the event was an opportunity for health professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to renew their commitment to addressing mental health as a national priority.
The celebration in Accra highlighted the need to support individuals facing mental health challenges, particularly during crises.
Shared responsibility
At the ceremony held last Friday, the Medical Superintendent of the Ga East Municipal Hospital, Dr Ayuba Seidu Abdulai, said the commemoration was a reminder that mental health was not a privilege but a fundamental part of overall well-being.
He explained that the hospital remained committed to giving mental health the same level of attention as physical health, stating that the facility’s team of clinicians, psychologists and community health professionals had been working tirelessly to promote mental wellness in the municipality.
“Today, we unite under the theme that no one should face mental health issues alone or unattended to. Mental health challenges are not a sign of weakness, and no one should struggle in silence,” he said.
Dr Abdulai encouraged the public to be more understanding and empathetic towards persons with mental health challenges, adding that stigma often prevents affected individuals from seeking help.
“We must all make a deliberate effort to support one another, especially those who are struggling emotionally. When we treat mental health with compassion, we heal as a community,” he said.
Call to action
Dr Abdulai called on the government, corporate organisations, and the public to increase investment in mental health services, fight stigma, and promote inclusion at all levels of society.
He emphasised that integrating mental health into national emergency systems and primary health care was crucial to ensuring that no one faced mental health challenges alone.
“Together, we can build a nation where mental health care is accessible, compassionate, and truly part of our emergency response systems,” he said.
Substance abuse
The acting Greater Accra Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Robert Amesiya, described mental health as a major public health concern, particularly with the growing prevalence of substance abuse among young people.
He warned that the next generation could be severely threatened if the issue continued to be neglected.
“If we don’t take mental health seriously, the next generation is going to be threatened. The abuse of substances such as opioids, marijuana and energy drinks among the youth is alarming,” he said.
He expressed concern that some health workers exhibited signs of depression, anxiety or substance use due to work pressure and stress, but were often overlooked.
“Sometimes, people don’t perform because they have challenges. Let’s sit them down, talk to them as human beings, and show empathy. We must be one another’s keeper,” he said.
Approach
The Municipal Health Director for Ga East, Dr Maame Yaa Nhyira Essel, said mental health was not a luxury but an essential component of well-being.
She urged Ghanaians to move beyond talk and demonstrate true support for persons living with mental health conditions.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Authority, Dr Eugene Dordorye, said the theme for the year’s commemoration was a call to integrate mental health services into all aspects of disaster preparedness and emergency response.
He announced that plans were far advanced to include four major mental health conditions on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to make treatment affordable and accessible to all.
“This policy change will fundamentally alter the landscape of mental health financing in Ghana,” he said, adding that “it will ensure that financial barriers do not determine a person’s path to recovery.”
Dr Dordorye further disclosed that the Mental Health Authority was working with tele-psychiatry providers and developing digital health applications to extend mental health services to remote areas of the country.
“Our vision is to make quality mental health care available to every Ghanaian, regardless of location. Technology will be our greatest ally in bridging the gap,” he added.
