The Mental Health Authority has launched the 2025 Mental Health awareness month with a call on stakeholders to give mental health the needed attention by making the services available to people who need care.
The week long celebration in Ghana is on the theme, ‘’Mental Health: My voice Matters.
In a speech read on her behalf by the Policy Adviser for Political Affairs at the office of the Vice President, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman said, this year’s theme resonates deeply with her values, adding that it is not merely a theme but a rallying cry , a declaration of inclusion and a reaffirmation of the fundamental human rights to be seen, to be heard and to be supported .
She called for a national awakening on mental health, urging Ghanaians to confront the lingering stigma and silence that have long surrounded the subject.
‘’It urges all to listen more attentively, to act more compassionately, and to commit more deliberately to the collective well-being of our nation. For far too long, mental health in Ghana and indeed across much of the world has been misunderstood, under-discussed, and under-resourced. It has existed in the shadows of our health discourse, buried beneath layers of stigma, fear and silence’’.
Vice President Prof. Opoku – Agyeman expressed deep concern about the rise in mental health conditions in Ghana, citing a reported 20% increase in disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance use within the last two years. She lamented that these figures likely under-represent the true scale of the issue, as stigma and limited access to care continue to prevent many from seeking help.
“Too many of our brothers, sisters, and children continue to suffer in silence,” the speech stated.“This silence is not benign—it is dangerous and costly’’, she said.
She announced that the John Mahama led administration is putting the work to make mental healthcare more affordable and accessible to those who may need it, however government’s effort alone may not be enough, she stressed.
Some of the initiatives been worked on include, strenthening infrastructure, expanding community based services and empowering the Mental Health Authority to fully fulfil its mandate.
She urged Ghanaians to speak up, support those facing mental health challenges, and create safe spaces where vulnerability is met with empathy, not judgment.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance founded by Mental Health America in 1949 to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing, educate the public, reduce stigma and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions. Each year, individuals and organizations come together to raise awareness and advocate for better mental health care and resources.
Story by: Eric Boateng
