UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By – Sadat Dabo
The Upper East Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has raised concerns about stigma, discrimination and inadequate mental health resources, warning that these challenges continue to prevent people from seeking timely professional help
The concerns come as Ghana prepares to join the global community to mark World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2026, under the theme: Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change
In a press release dated October 7, 2026, the Regional Mental Health Coordinator, Gifty Polycarp, called for a shift from public awareness to concrete action, with people living with mental health conditions and their caregivers playing a central role in shaping services and advocacy
The Directorate says mental health care must go beyond campaigns and public discussions to ensure that affected individuals can access support without fear, shame or discrimination
Stigma and discrimination threaten access to care
The Health Directorate identified stigma, discrimination, inadequate human resources and limited community-based services as major challenges confronting mental health care in the region
These barriers, according to the statement, often discourage people from seeking professional assistance when they need it most
The concerns raise questions about how communities, families and institutions respond to people experiencing mental health difficulties, particularly those who may fear being judged or marginalised
To address the situation, the GHS says it will intensify public education in schools, churches, mosques, communities and other public spaces to challenge misconceptions and discrimination
It also plans to strengthen community-based services and integrate mental health care into primary healthcare facilities to bring assistance closer to residents
Health Directorate targets young people and vulnerable groups
The Directorate says it will promote recovery and prevention through counselling, psychosocial support, rehabilitation and substance-use prevention, with particular attention to young people and vulnerable groups
It is also calling for people with lived experience of mental health conditions and their caregivers to be involved in planning, advocacy and service improvement
The approach is intended to ensure that mental health interventions reflect the real experiences and needs of those directly affected
Other priority areas include counselling, psychosocial support, rehabilitation and substance-use prevention, particularly among young people and vulnerable groups
Mental health is not a reason for shame
The Directorate has called on traditional and religious leaders, Municipal and District Assemblies, the media, civil society organisations, development partners and the general public to support efforts to create safe and supportive environments for people experiencing mental health challenges
It stressed that mental health is a shared responsibility and urged the public to help eliminate the fear, shame and discrimination that often prevent individuals from seeking assistance
The Directorate believes that listening to people with lived experience, learning from their challenges and incorporating their perspectives into mental health interventions will contribute to better services and more supportive communities.
“Mental health conditions are treatable. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” the statement stressed
The Directorate also encouraged people struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use or other mental health challenges not to suffer in silence, but to seek assistance from a mental health professional or visit the nearest health facility
Health Directorate commends mental health professionals
The Regional Health Directorate has commended mental health professionals in the Upper East Region for their dedication to supporting people living with mental health conditions
The statement specifically recognised Dr. Josephine Opoku Kyereme and Dr. Dennis Daliri, alongside mental health nurses, addiction counsellors, community mental health workers and volunteers
The Mental Health Unit also expressed appreciation to the Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, for his leadership and continued support towards strengthening the unit and improving the quality of mental health services in the region
Radio discussions, school outreach and screening planned
As part of the commemoration, the Upper East Regional Health Directorate and its partners will organise activities from October 10 to 16, 2026
The activities will include radio discussions, school outreach programmes and mental health screening at selected health facilities across the region
Residents have been encouraged to participate actively and make mental wellbeing a priority
The statement concluded with a renewed call for action, urging stakeholders to ensure that people affected by mental health conditions are heard, respected and supported
“Lived experiences must be heard. Real voices must drive real change.”
Source – gbcuraonline.com
