Abstract
Introduction: Mental health is a neglected field within the health care system in Ghana. Studies and public education focusing on mental health remain low, leading to poor knowledge and awareness of mental health among the population. Objective: The overall aim of this study was to provide a systematic description of mental health services in Ghana. Methods: A snowball technique was used to select a total of 42 mental health professionals from six hospitals for interviews. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Major findings of this study include inadequate human and material resources; poor knowledge of mental health among the population; weak coordination between general practitioners and mental health professionals; inadequate mental health services in schools and prisons. Additionally, 54.8% of respondents reported limited mental health educational materials, and most schools (54.8%) lacking trained resident mental health professionals. The main interventions for service delivery are taking over activities of daily living by nurses, problem assessment, and psychological interventions which achieved the same results (69%). A tendency to consult faith-based healers and prayer camps; a lack of mental health research capacity, specifically research focusing on policies; and weakness in the organization and decentralization of mental health services in Ghana are among the common challenges to seeking care. Conclusion: Public mental health education on available resources and services is important. Capacity research focusing on dissemination and implementation of mental health policies can serve as the basis for addressing mental health challenges and improving service delivery in Ghana.
Highlights
Mental health is a neglected field within the health care system in Ghana
A tendency to consult faithbased healers and prayer camps; a lack of mental health research capacity, research focusing on policies; and weakness in the organization and decentralization of mental health services in Ghana are among the common challenges to seeking care
We found the European Service Mapping Schedule (ESMS) suitable for developing a systematic description of mental health services in Ghana, whereas we used the International Classification of Mental Health Care (ICMHC) to describe the level of interventions aimed at improving mental health services
Summary
Mental health is a neglected field within the health care system in Ghana. Studies and public education focusing on mental health remain low, leading to poor knowledge and awareness of mental health among the population. The delivery of mental health services in Ghana has been entrusted to the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), and the Mental Health Authority, which form the main mental health care system These bodies are left with common challenges related to communication, collaboration, and organization and to planning systems towards improving mental health services in Ghana. This has contributed to the neglect of mental health services in Ghana for decades, which must be addressed due to the increasing number of people affected by mental disorders. According to a study by WHO, challenges associated with mental health service delivery are linked to a lack of research in this field, the wide treatment gap, poor management modalities, and weak mental health education [2]
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