The Yah-Salem Foundation has in collaboration with the Tema Metro Health Directorate marked the 2023 World Mental Health Day with an awareness creation session with students at the Tema MEDASS Senior High School.
The event which was held on October 10 was held under the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right’ and saw hundreds of students in participation.
Students after receiving a 45-minute lecture on the topic from the resource person Pius Tay who is the mental health coordinator at the Tema Mertro health directorate, engaged in a question and answer session.
Speaking to starrfm.com.gh on the sidelines of the event, Mr Tay observed that students were interested in the subject and “the way things went, I’m not surprised because students have issues with learning, concentration, sleep and so you realize that such questions came up. I think that this program should extend its tentacles to other agencies and partners so we see how we can tailor it to get a higher impact.”
He went on to add “I mentioned to the students when I itemized some of the student issues like somebody having the wrong thoughts, or somebody having isolation issues, there will be a need for support, because of a lack of experience in the transitioning state between childhood and adulthood. We need to have psychological interventions and we can start from the scheduled programs to provide service. Ideally, if we had a resident mental health expert it would be so helpful.”
On what parents, teachers, and the country can do to better the situation, he intimated “parents should be observant and make necessary interventions. They should also manage their own stress so it doesn’t interfere with the development of the children. Teachers should also be observant and update themselves with information on their psychological experience.”
“The nation has a long way to go as far as mental health is concerned. We will need to invest more into awareness creation, and actual knowledge impactation through seminars. We also have to watch our policies to see if we can make some improvements. We need commitment from the state because budget issues are serious issues for the mental health authority.”
Founder of the Yah-Salem Foundation Mary Adu Sarfo indicated that her entity was a “child rights protection foundation. We seek to protect children against violence, neglect abuse, and exploitation. We engage with children, families, and teachers on child protection issues such as teenage pregnancy, child labor, drug abuse, etc. Our vision is to promote the general well-being of children in Ghana either through humanitarian services or through sensitization.”
She observed that “we have come to the realization that all these stories that we hear about spousal killing, and children not being able to concentrate well in their studies has to do with some mental issues that need to be addressed at the early stage before its nurtured into a mental illness and that’s the motive behind our initiative. “
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh