Ghana has launched a nationwide mental health campaign aimed at expanding access to care, reducing stigma, and supporting mothers, students, and working professionals through a new 24/7 digital mental health platform.
The initiative, unveiled on May 4, 2026, is being led by Jubilare Group in partnership with the Mental Health Authority of Ghana and 18 partner organisations across the health, education, and corporate sectors.
At the centre of the campaign is the country’s first planned round-the-clock remote mental health care platform, which will connect users to licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and counsellors at any time of day.
Speaking at the launch, Deborah Asmah, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing & Operations Officer of Npontu Technologies and President of Jubilare Group, shared her personal experience with postnatal depression across three pregnancies, describing how she only identified her condition through online research during periods of isolation.
“I learned the name for what I was experiencing not from my hospital or doctor. I learned it from Google,” she said, highlighting the need for accessible mental health information and support.
She noted that mental health conditions remain widespread in Ghana, citing research indicating that 50% of mothers experience perinatal depression, while a significant proportion report suicidal thoughts. She also pointed to rising cases among students and young people, stressing that mental health should be treated with the same seriousness as physical illness.
“Mental health is like malaria—it can affect anyone. We don’t shame people for getting malaria treatment. Mental health deserves the same dignity,” she stated.
The Mental Health Authority of Ghana says the digital platform, expected to be launched in the third or fourth quarter of 2026, is designed to ensure immediate access to care, particularly for individuals in crisis.
Dr. Eugene Dordoye, CEO of the Mental Health Authority, said the initiative reflects a shift towards more accessible and humane mental healthcare delivery.
He emphasised that mental health support should not depend on geography, time, or availability of nearby facilities, adding that innovation and partnerships are key to closing gaps in care.
The broader May–December 2026 campaign will also focus on maternal and student mental health. Hospitals including Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, and other major health facilities will train frontline staff such as midwives and nurses to identify and support mothers experiencing postnatal depression.
Routine screening will be introduced at six-week postpartum visits, alongside support groups and referrals for professional counselling.
In the education sector, the campaign will partner with institutions including the University of Cape Coast and Accra Technical University to train student mental health champions and expand counselling support services on campuses.
The initiative also seeks to support implementation of Ghana’s Maternal Mental Health Policy launched on March 31, 2026, with organisers stressing the need for public awareness to drive real impact.
Deborah Asmah described the campaign as a collective responsibility, urging open conversations around mental health.
“This is our fight. Not theirs. Ours,” she said. “Breaking stigma starts with each of us. The silence ends here.”
The campaign brings together institutions such as the Mental Health Society of Ghana, leading hospitals, telecom and financial partners, and development organisations in what organisers describe as a coordinated national response to Ghana’s mental health challenges.
