support 1000 mental health patients in Ghana

Source: https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Mensah-Mental-Health-Rehabilitation-Project-Ghana-educates-Moslems-on-mental-wellness-1832720

Islam is one of the major religions practised in Ghana. Believers worship Allah at various mosques on Fridays.
In its bid to educate Ghanaians about the causes and prevention of mental illness, MEMHREP GHANA, an NGO situated at Aboagye Estates- Okyerekrom in the Ejisu District of the Ashanti region of Ghana visited mosques in Kumasi.
The health department together with volunteers first visited Malam Abdul Razak Mosque at Aboabo in the Asokore Mampong district.
Mrs Mary Mensah the general manager of the NGO talked the audience through the activities of the organisation. She spoke amongst other the things the need for the public to support the organisation financially to complete its ongoing rehabilitation centre.

 Mr David Sarkodie, a senior health nurse at MEMEHREP, asked the audience to report any sign of mental disorder to the hospital instead of seeking over the counter medication. He stressed that such practise can lead to mental illness.
He also asked the youth to desist from social vices such as drugs abuse, spiritism, short ways to riches popularly known as” Sakawa”, teenage pregnancy and sport betting since they are a major contributor to mental illness in Ghana.
The Imam of the mosque, thanked MEMHREP for taking it upon itself to educate the public about mental health. He reiterated his desire to partner the NGO in propagating this life-saving message
and therefore called for support from the public especially the government, companies and civil society.

Links:

• Memhrep educates Muslims on mental health

 OKYEREKROM M/A PRIMARY SCHOOL.

The mental health of students can affect their education, social life and emotional wellbeing. Therefore good mental health and wellbeing is essential for students.

To address the challenges students do through mentally, the health department of MEMHREP- GHANA, educated about 215 pupils of Okyerekrom M/A Primary School in the Ejisudistrict of the Ashanti region of Ghana on 10-03 -2023 at 9:00 am.

Speaking at the event, Mr David Kwabena Sarkodie a community mental health nurse at MEMHREP educated the students about the early signs of mental illness such as confused thinking or problems concentrating , excessive worrying and irritability.

He was particularly alarmed about the increasing rate of suicide amongst the youth because of the neglect and stigma associated with mental illness in Ghana. He therefore urged the students to do away with drug and substance abuse since they contribute to mental illness.

To climax the 40 minute event, the headmistress of the school, Madam Joana Adu-Danso thanked the organization for the wonderful initiative of educating the general public especially the youth about the causes and prevention of mental illness.She also indicated that the doors of the school are always opened to MEMHREP-GHANA.

 ASOKORE MAMPONG R/C PRIMARY SCHOOL.

MEMHREP- GHANA is an NGO dedicated to seeking the welfare of persons living with mental health needs and also educating the general public on the causes and prevention of mental illness.

On 10th March 2023, the health team of the NGO, educated teachers, staff and students of Asokore Mampong R/C Primary in Kumasi, Ghana.

The one hour event targeted the upper division of the primary section. Teachers and students who attended numbered around 400.

The main educator at the program was Mr Emmanuel OseiTutu, a community mental health nurse at MEMHREP-GHANA. He educated the participants on the causes of mental illness such as drug abuse, trauma or neglect, social isolation, severe or long stress, poverty or debt.

He entreated the participants to avoid social vices such as smoking, betting, drug abuse and excessive fists of anger, which he noted are contributing factors to mental illness.

Mr Felix Boachie Darkwa, the assistant headmaster of the school, about acknowledged the efforts of MEMHREP- GHANA through its social media advocacy at addressing the deficiency in quality mental health delivery in Ghana. He therefore commended the NGO and also urged them to continue with their mental healh education across the nation and beyond.

 ASOKORE MAMPONG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ‘A’

The development of every nation largely depends on the quality of health of its citizens. The youth forms the majority of the population of most nations across the world.

Since they are the future leaders of every country, it is therefore important that their mental health needs are met.

The health train of MEMHREP-GHANA took them to Asokore Mampong M/A JHS A on 10th March 2023 as part of their Mental Health Education Week. The JHS conference hall hosted the program. The students who were all clothed in their Friday wears numbered about 350.

Leaners of the school were educated on the need to take their studies seriously and also on how to maintain good mental health to enhance productivity within the school, community and the country as a whole.

Mr Emmanuel Osei Tutu, a nurse at MEMEHREP advised the students to avoid bad peer pressure , abuse of drugs but rather report the early signs of mental illness to a specialist for treatment and also stop the stigma that comes with mental illness.