Why Mental Health is Undervalued in Ghana

Mental health is an important feature in the life of every human being, but one that is easily glossed over within many societies of the world, including Ghana. Even with increased global awareness, mental health remains overly devalued in Ghanaian culture, clearly under the influence of various cultural, social, and economic factors. This blog tries to show why this has been so perceived, the stigma associated with it, and the inability of many to have access to the care they need.

Cultural Beliefs and Stigma

Stigma has been considered one of the biggest barriers to valuing mental health in Ghana. Mental health problems are believed in most communities to signify weakness or even failure. Traditional beliefs may attribute it to spiritual causes, such as witchcraft or ancestral curses. Because of this, many seek help from traditional healers rather than the mental health professions. This automatically makes them very culture-bound, apprehensive to discuss their struggles openly, and cloaks any discussion of mental health issues in silence.
Added to that is the generally held opinion that a person should be able to deal with life without needing any help. Because of this kind of thinking, many people do not get the care they need out of fear of judgment or for being seen as weaklings. The stigma attached can cause underestimation of one’s mental condition and prevent the treatment needed, which sometimes has disastrous results.

Sociocultural Factors

In Ghana, societal demands place huge pressure on people to be sure and successful and strong, showing no particular emotion. Men, in particular, are socialized to hide their emotions and never show weakness, which in turn might exacerbate mental health problems. The notion of “being strong” for some is to escape the conversations about emotions and mental struggles; it actually puts them deeper into isolation.
Moreover, not bringing awareness of mental health to the public and educating the masses fosters a lack of understanding and misperception. Many may not identify signs of problems of mental health and instead view them as normal stress or emotional reactions due to ups and downs in life. Such misunderstanding stands in the way of support systems, rendering those in need devoid of resources or encouragement to seek help.

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Economic Barriers to Access

In most cases, the economic aspects have denied access to mental health care within the nation. The healthcare system faces major challenges such as underfunding, a shortage of trained personnel specialized in mental health, and overall limited facilities. As such, services are concentrated within urban areas, and the needed help can hardly be accessed by people living in rural communities.
Most Ghanaians might not afford the prohibitively expensive nature of mental health treatment and would instead focus more on their physical health needs because of financial constraints. The insurance coverage is also minimal, further complicating the access to such services. Therefore, there may be few options available for people with mental disorders, and this may be one of the contributing factors to increased neglect of the mental health status.

A Call for Change and Awareness

This is in reflection of the lives to be lost, which reminds us of the need to reflect upon the place of mental health in our lives and Ghanaian society. Open discussion of mental health, community-based education about mental illnesses, and advocacy for changes in policy will all form part of necessary efforts to change perceptions and increase access to care.
We all have a part to play in ensuring the stigma bound with mental health gets worn off. Sharing our experiences and encouraging others to seek help will go a long way in ensuring a more caring atmosphere for those battling mental health challenges. Let us come together and recognize together as a society that mental health is just as important as physical health.

Share Your Thoughts and Help Raise Awareness

We would like to hear your contribution in the comments section below. Is it you or someone close to you who has struggled with mental health issues in Ghana? Share this blog with others in an effort to raise awareness and build a more empathetic and knowledgeable society.

Source: Xtrememediaonline.com