The Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has told Parliament that government is moving to integrate mental health services into primary health care to make treatment more accessible nationwide.
Answering questions on mental health in the House today, the Minister said stigma, limited facilities, and inadequate funding continue to be major challenges in Ghana’s mental health delivery system.
According to the Minister, the government is actively collaborating with the Mental Health Authority to expand community-based mental health services, while training and posting additional psychiatric nurses, psychologists, and mental health officers across the country.
Furthermore, efforts are underway to guarantee a consistent supply of essential mental health medicines under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and to strengthen public education in order to reduce societal stigma.
The Minister noted that mental health cases, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse, have increased in recent years, particularly among young people.
He added that government is seeking more funding and partnerships to fully implement the Mental Health Act, 2012 (Act 846) and upgrade psychiatric hospitals.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana