People in ghana resort to shackling people with psychosocial disabilities because they see no alternatives. Nongovernmental funding for mental health in ghana 17. Oct 16, 2017 the head of ghanas mental health authority announced that as of october 10, world mental health day, the countrys ban on shackling in place since 2012 will finally be properly enforced. Sale of tobacco products administrative and miscellaneous provisions 69. The passing of the act was a culmination of a lot of work by various individuals and institutions spanning several decades. From the data collected in this survey, we have identified some top level priorities that would be most likely to assist the realisation of the detailed recommendations. The study sought to investigate health workers knowledge on mental health legislation in ghana focusing on the certificate of urgency.
This was very welcome news since it was long overdue as per the stipulations in the mental health law, act 846. The current mental health act the passage of the mental health act 2012 by parliament in march 2012 is a major milestone in addressing mental health as a public health issue and also in the protection of the human rights of people with mental disorders in ghana. The passing of the act was a culmination of a lot of work by various individuals and. Ghana health service and teaching hospitals act ghanalegal legal portal for ghana 12016, 6.
Ghanas mental health system is now in the control of a new mental health authority established in november 20 and they are responsible for implementing the mental health act passed in 2012. The passing of the act was a culmination of a lot of work by various individuals. Mental health society of ghana mehsog is a broadbased grassroots membership association of mental health and epilepsy service users and their primary carergivers with members across ghana. Ghana is particularly relevant to this discourse as country leadership is poised to make substantial improvements in mental health services since the recent passing of their mental health bill, which calls for better integration of mental health into the ghanaian national health services mental health act 846 of 2012. Attitude towards mental illness in ghana as in other subsaharan countries, in ghana stigmatisation of mental illness is a serious problem permeating the mental health system 16,27,28. As such, we are proud to bring to you short profiles of those who make up the board. The study population included medical doctors, physician assistants, and nursesmidwives. National school aged deworming exercise in 205 districts across the country. It is a nongovernmental organization which works to represent the needs and interest of people with mental illness or epilepsy as well as their primary. Mental health care is becoming a critical international concern, but developing countries are still straining to attend to the mental health needs of their suffering and stigmatized citizens. An act to provide for mental health care and for related matters.
Most evidence forthisisbased on statements of mental health personnel. Ghana successfully passed a mental health act law in march 2012. Public health act, 2012 an act to revise and consolidate the law relating to public health to prevent disease, promote, safeguard, maintain and protect the health of humans and animals and to provide for related matters. To address this, in march 2012, ghana passed mental health act 846, which established a mental health commission and outlined protections for individuals with mental health needs. The stigma which faces persons living with mental disorder as well as the lack of access to services means many go without treatment, whilst. Pdf ghana successfully passed a mental health act law in march 2012. The chief psychiatrist also coordinated t he world health organisation assessment instrument for mental health systems whoaims was used to collect information on the. On the 19th of november, 20, the mental health authority board was inaugrated. Ghana health service and teaching hospitals act ghanalegal. A mental health policy, plan and mental health legislation exist in ghana. List of best mental health care companies in accra, ghana, top mental health care companies in accra, ghana, mental health care companies near me, best mental health care companies. Pdf practices, discrimination and liberty rights in the.
A crosssectional qualitative study with 12 participants, using semistructured interviews. In recent years, the delivery of mental health services in ghana has expanded substantially, especially since the passing of the mental health act in 2012. A reflection on ghanas mental health system mdedge psychiatry. Ghana breaks the chains on mental health human rights watch. Although there is a lack of reliable data regarding the prevalence of mental and neurological disorders in the country, who estimates that approximately percent of ghanaians suffer from a mental disorder. The mental health system in ghana mental health innovation network. The saying that mental health is total health must enjoin all wellmeaning ghanaians home and abroad to resolve and join hands to push for the passage of the mental health bill into law, which is. Rsa 2000 section 1 chapter m mental health act 4 ii a director as defined in the child, youth and family enhancement act, with respect to a child who is. Since most of these conditions are chronic cases, the medications are consumed for prolonged periods of time. The status of mental health care in ghana, west africa and. In managing these patients, psychotropic medications are mostly employed. The way ailments like malaria, maternal and child health and other conditions are funded, is the same way mental health should be funded. Even government spending on mental health reflects the priority attached to the issue, with a mere 1.
It supplies essential planning information for the implementation of ghanas new mental health act 846 of 2012, a renewal of the ghana 5 year plan for mental health and it contributes to international knowledge base on mental health. The government of ghana in a bid to address the mental healthcare challenges enacted the mental health act 2012 act 846 as well as instituted the mental health authority. International journal of mental health systems abstract background. In ghana, as it is true of most african cultures, the causes of mental illness could have many definitions or interpretations. This study aims to describe the views of key stakeholders in mental health in ghana on the challenges faced with regard to the implementation of, and priorities for implementation of, the 2012 mental health act of ghana.
Ghana and the entire mental health fraternity wish to thank you for your service and commitment. Emergency and disaster plans for mental health do not exist. In t a reflection on ghanas mental health system mdedge psychiatry. Act 846 mental health act, 2012 arrangement of sections. Aug 12, 2015 with the passing of the ghanas mental health act in 2012, one will have thought that people with mental health issues will be treated with utmost respect and dignity as stipulated in act 846 of.
A descriptive study design was employed for this study. This survey provides data on the mental health system in ghana for the year 2011. Where in the case of any patient admitted to a psychiatric hospital who is not a citizen of ghana and who. According to ghanas mental health act 846 section 48, clause 2 and 3, when a registered medical practitioner examines a person with. However, there exists an absence of information on efficacy, side effects, accessibility. Mental health authority ministry of health ghana official. Public health act, 2012 act 851 ministry of health. Mental health policy in ghana has historically been unfeasible and poorly implemented. The act includes provisions for the creation of a modern, communitybased mental. Emergency and disaster plans for mental health did not exist. Most evidence for this is based on statements of mental health personnel. Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, with mental health treatment amongst the most expensive, especially when hospitalization is involved. The passage of the mental health act 2012 by parliament in march 2012 is a major milestone in addressing mental health as a public health issue and also in the protection of the human rights of people with mental disorders in ghana. Ghanas mental health bill has gained the support of doctors, nurses and traditional healers and can serve as a model for other african countries wishing to develop progressive mental health laws that respect international human rights standards.
Mental health act ghanalegal legal portal for ghana. According to the mental health commission of canada, one in five canadians is living with a mental. Forum for mental health professional from ghana and neighbouring countries. Sep 26, 2010 attitude towards mental illness in ghana. Mindwsie, however, writes that most mental health professionals believe that there are a variety of contributing factors to the onset of a mental illness.
In 2012 ghana passed a new mental health act, which aimed to create a new system of mental healthcare in ghana. This study assessed the situation of mental health care in ghana, an anglophone democratic republic in west africa. Mental health care in accra, ghana list of mental health. Yes, if we have a levy it will go a long way to support delivery of mental health services. Mental health is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
Policy, legislative framework, financing and human rights policy and plans a mental health policy 1996 and plan 20072011 existed. This article examines the impact and implication of recognising traditional and spiritual mental therapeutic services in the mental health act of ghana 2012 for persons with mental disabilities in respect of liberty rights and fight against. Ghana does have consumer associations for people with mental disorders but it. Of ghana entitled the ghana health service and teaching hospitals act, 1996 an act to establish the ghana health service, to provide for related matters includino its functions and membership.
As in other subsaharan countries, in ghana stigmatisation of mental illness is a serious problem permeating the mental health system 16, 27, 28. Oct 09, 2017 people in ghana resort to shackling people with psychosocial disabilities because they see no alternatives. David macaulay, former ddns of accra psychiatric hospital and also a strong advocate for mental health in ghana. The head of ghana s mental health authority announced that as of october 10, world mental health day, the countrys ban on shackling in place.
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