“A state of well-being in which each individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. This is the definition of mental health according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to the WHO, mental health is not just the absence of mental disorders, it is the way in which each person deals with the problems of everyday life.
While mental health problems are not new, the treatment of mental health problems is. Needless to say, until recently, mental health problems have been ignored and neglected through stigma and discrimination (WHO, 2003), despite the fact that mental disorders accounted for approximately 30% of the global non-fatal burden of disease and 10% of the total global burden of disease.
Recent data show that there has been an increased awareness of mental health as part of global diseases. However, we cannot forget that there are territorial, economic and social divides that continue to be affected. It is estimated that more than 116 million people in the African region suffer from mental illness. This high number is explained by the taboo on mental illness, which is associated with superstitious practices such as witchcraft. This is why people suffering from mental health problems often face discrimination and deprivation of their fundamental rights.
As we said in previous posts, we are celebrating Mental Health Week Awareness 2024. Throughout the week, we have published different contents on this topic, such as how we can include more movement in our routine, all the benefits that a more active live provides to our lives, the impact of the hormones in our mental health and how mindfulness might impact in our mental health.
Today we would like to explain the current situation in Liberia and Ghana, countries where we have a presence, to explain the importance of investing more in prioritising mental health as a serious public health condition globally and also to acknowledge efforts on how we, as a continent, can build and nurture a society that prevents mental health conditions among communities.
In Ghana, mental health problems are the second leading cause of disability after iron deficiency anaemia. With a population of about 30 million people, WHO reports that about 13% of Ghana’s population suffers from a mental health problem, of which 3% suffer from a severe mental health problem and the remaining 10% suffer from a moderate to mild mental health condition. Approximately 21% of adult Ghanaians are reported to suffer from moderate to severe psychological disorders at some point in their lives.
Despite these data, only 2.8 per cent of people with mental health problems have access to therapy, and most people with mental health problems are unable to receive professional care. The prevalence of mental health problems in Ghana is similar to that in the UK, with depression, anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorders predominating.
Up to 1 in 5 Liberians has a mild to moderate mental disorder, according to WHO estimates, but the country has only one registered psychiatrist and, until recently, the vast majority of health workers had limited knowledge of mental illness.
Significantly, Liberia is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. With such a high population density, it is an example of what is happening to mental health services worldwide. Globally, only two per cent of government health budgets are spent on psychiatric care. Nowhere in the world does mental health enjoy parity with physical health in terms of budget allocation. As a result, in many places there are few mental health professionals and no medicines to treat people in need of psychiatric care.
It is estimated that 10 per cent of the Liberian population suffers from a mild to moderate mental health disorder, and 3 per cent suffers from a severe disorder. People with these conditions often lack access to treatment and face social stigma that can lead to exclusion from school or work.
From Sisters Hospitallers, we still work so hard in our main mission of bringing hospitality to those in need. That´s why, we have several projects in Africa dedicated to the mental health.
This centre provides general medical care and mental health support in Monrovia In 2017, Sisters Hospitallers, with WHO’s financial support, refurbished the premises of the centre. Moreover, the purpose was to start a new project for people with mental illnesses suffering from social exclusion. Therefore, the centre covers the need for this type of service in Liberia.
The centre consists of two separate units.
The clinic:
At the clinic, we provide general medicine for the population nearby. Furthermore, we also count on a laboratory to carry out various tests and diagnosis. Lastly, we also provide maternity care and assistance in births.
Mental Health Centre:
Most importantly, here is where professionals take care of those living with mental disorders. We provide them with medicine, food, treatment and support to develop their social skills. Through games and therapy, the goal is to help mentally ill people learn new skills and improve at social interaction.
This is an ongoing process, as some of them are not yet able to be reinserted into society. Therefore, they need constant support and care from the centre, apart from new patients coming in regularly.
Discover more about this centre
Sisters Hospitallers, present in the country since 1966, has a health center in the suburb of Pipeline, in the country’s capital, Monrovia. We Are Like You aims to improve the social and health conditions of patients at the health center and to care for women with mental illness thanks to the collaboration between the Benedict Menni health center in Monrovia and Aita Menni Hospital in Arrasate-Mondragon (Gipuzkoa, Spain).
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This centre in Ghana is a response to the poor service provided to the mentally ill in the area. Moreover, medical care is really scarce in rural areas like Dompoase. Therefore, our presence was a direct request from the Rev. Thomas K., first bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Obuasi.
As a result, Benito Menni Hospital provides two separate services:
Medical Care:
Apart from the staff at Benito Menni Hospital, the centre also counts on a team for the outreach programme. Consequently, the team is formed by a Public Health Nurse, a Health Care Assistant and a driver. In short, this team is responsible for extending the reach of the hospital to rural areas.This is, visiting patients that live in remote areas and have difficulties getting to the clinic.
Day Centre for mental disorders:
In this centre, therefore, people living with mental disorders receive support, medicines and care. As it is a day centre, the staff at the centre picks them up at home in the morning and return them in the afternoon.
Most importantly, they can also take part in projects to improve their personal development. For instance, some of the patients at the centre take part in the process of extracting Palm Oil.
The Day Centre helps in the rehabilitation of young people and adults with mental health problems. Therefore, they foster their personal development and independence for their integration in society.
Discover more about our centre