Ghana Caging Mental Health Patients

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Today, the 10th of October is International Mental Health Day. Over the past few years, the increased awareness of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety have positively affected many people. A recent report from 2018 showed that male suicide has dropped to its lowest level in 30 years. Whilst the suicide rates for first world countries have lowered, many third world countries can’t say the same. Low income countries spend on average just 0.5% of their health budgets on mental health, according to the World Health Organisation. In Africa, Ghana has only one psychiatrist per 1.2 million people. This lack of mental health support means many people turn to ‘prayer camps’. These are camps that use ‘traditional healing methods’ to assist patients. However, these camps have been shown to use chains to restrain their residents despite government ban. Reports have also shown that patients are put in cages, believed to be possessed by Satan. This not only violates ones human rights but prevents them from receiving the help they need. In 2014, India introduced the countries first mental health policy geared towards hiring more mental health professionals. This policy was introduced on India’s very own mental health day and was focused on raising peoples awareness of mental health and the stigma surrounding it. If Ghana followed in India’s footsteps, there would be no need for harmful and inhumane ‘prayer camps’. With more funding aimed at treatment programs and medical health professionals, people would finally be able to receive the real help that they deserve.

Photo found at: https://globalnews.ca/news/295662/canadian-organization-announces-19-4-million-to-support-mental-health-programs-in-developing-countries/

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