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Ghanaians suffering from mental disorders have been urged not to throw their hands in despair as such patients can fully recover from the ailment if properly managed.
Mental illness, according to MindFreedom Ghana, is like any other disease that affects the human body, thus the ailment is treatable.
These were made known during a workshop organized in Accra on Monday by MindFreedom Ghana with support from International Disability Alliance (IDA)
The meeting was prepared for Assembly Members of the Klottey Korle Municipal Assembly of the Greater Accra Region to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health conditions.
The meeting sought to ensure that accurate information relative to mental health and COVID-19 is disseminated to community members while reducing the levels of stigma and discrimination against people who have mental health issues.
In a presentation, Mr Etornam Gblende, Greater Accra Regional Mental Health Coordinator dispelled the notion that persons with mental illness may still have some remnant of the disease even after treatment.
Mr Gblende argued that the ailment is treatable, adding that, “Person with mental illness can fully recover from the illness and contribute meaningfully to the society.”
He indicates that Mental health is a silent crisis, pointing out that about 10.1 percent of Ghanaians have some form of mental disorders and that, 75 percent of mental disorders start in youth and adolescence.
“It is therefore important to give attention to mental health, particularly in children, youth and adolescents,” he advised.
On how to manage people living with Mental illness, Mr Gblende advised that they should always be treated with respect and be involved in decision-making about their health care and other related matters.
The Executives Secretary of MindFreedom Ghana, Mr Dan Taylor stated that his outfit is committed to educating the public on issues of mental health and psychosocial disabilities
Mr Taylor explained that the reason for bringing together the Assembly members was to equip them with knowledge and understanding of mental health issues to help them spread the message to the people in their various electoral areas.
“We feel they are the spokespersons for the people. They are those who can relay messages to their community members. So at the end of the day, once they gain that kind of knowledge on mental health and COVID, they could as well go out and let the community members know about it.”
On his part, Mr Raymond Kwaku Opoku, a Unit Committee member of the Ring electoral area who participated in the workshop expressed gratitude to the organizers for bringing knowledge to them.
“I think the workshop is a good one and I will urge the organizers to ensure that this happens frequently for us to educate ourselves on the subject.”
By: Mohammed Suleman/ publicagendagh.com
