Mental health disorder continues to be a leading health crisis globally yet the least to be combated.
The condition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is twice as frequent in women as in Condition,,
As part of efforts to combat the epidemic, all WHO Member States committed to implementing the “Comprehensive mental health action plan 2013-2030”, which aims to improve mental health by strengthening effective leadership and governance, providing comprehensive, integrated and responsive community-based care, implementing promotion and prevention strategies, and strengthening information systems, evidence and research.
But In 2020, WHO’s “Mental health Atlas 2020” analysis of country performance against the action plan showed insufficient advances against the targets of the agreed action plan.
The stigma, social exclusion, and discrimination around people with mental disorders has been identified to have compounded the situation.
As such and part of plans to complement initiatives to achieve the 2013-2030 action plan by the WHO, Her Royal Highness Lady Julia Osei Tutu has cut sod to establish the Eve Women’s Wellness & Mental Health Centre at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Speaking at the sod cutting ceremony, Head of Psychiatry department at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Vice chair of the Eve Women’s Wellness & Mental Health Foundation, Dr. Ruth Owusu-Antwi underscored the need for intervention.
“One out of every five women suffers from mental health disorders as opposed to one out of eight men. Her Royal Highness is putting up the CENTRE to focus on women and for humanity. If the woman is in good mental health, then the home, the society and nation are at peace. Focusing on women’s mental health is a focus on everyone’s mental health.
“If pregnant women go through mental disorders, research has proven that such women are likely to give birth to children who will suffer from mental health disorders. Children who are raised by mothers who suffer from mental disorders themselves become people with mental health disorders”, she said.
While preaching against stigmatization, she entreated stakeholders to contribute to the cause.
“Stigma, discrimination and sometimes the nature of our mental health facilities thwart efforts to address mental disorders. As special and beautiful as the project will look when completed, when people walk in they will not feel stigmatized.
“If we all will support support Her Royal Highness on this laudable project, it will be a great success”, she encouraged.
For Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof Rita Akosua Dickson the facility when completed will complement services of the KNUST Teaching Hospital and will serve as a training facility to students of KNUST.
“It is disheartening that stakeholders are not investing enough into mental health but I think Lady Julia has led the way. This resourceful center by Her Royal Highness coincidentally is next door to the teaching hospital which was championed by His Royal Majesty Otumfou Osei Tutu II of which we are confident that the hospital will be completed”.
The project is expected to be completed within a five-year period to provide treatment centers, accommodation and other resources for people especially women with mental health disorders.
As part of efforts to ensure timely completion of the project stakeholders such as management of SG Mall, KGL and others have donated in cash and kind to support the project.
Issah Zakariah/Akoma Fm/3news.com