Training Of Mental Health Professionals Research Articles

A Systematic Review of Culturally Responsive Approaches to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care in Ethiopia.

In 2012/2013, the prevalence of child mental illness was estimated to be between 12 and 25% in Ethiopia. The Federal Ministry of Health is currently considering the implementation of the second national mental health strategy guided by the World Health Organization’s pyramid model for an optimal mix of services. This model states self-care as the fundamental concept and practice that can be facilitated by the formal and informal sectors surrounding an individual. Despite this remarkable move toward endorsing contemporary approaches to mental health services, Ethiopia struggles with a limited number of knowledgeable and skilled mental health professionals. This systematic review aims at identifying the main challenges Ethiopia might face while implementing the pyramid model. We will suggest ways to bridge the gap between the need for child/adolescent trained mental health professionals and training mental health professionals informed with the value of integrating the concepts of the pyramid model into the system of mental health care for Ethiopians. The paper also discusses the importance of integrating the Wellness based mental health approach into mental health professionals’ training as a means of developing a culturally responsive approach to child and adolescent services. This review provides implications for further studies and mental health policy, systems and services in Ethiopia.

Pandemic Takes Toll on Those Who Grieve

Pandemic Takes Toll on Those Who Grieve

Changes in the Practice of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Poland: A Nationwide Survey Comparing Data Between 2005 and 2020.

BackgroundThe use and the characteristics of the practice of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Poland have not been evaluated since 2005, when a nationwide survey revealed its rare utilization (0.11 patients/10,000 inhabitants/year). The aims of this study were to determine the current use of ECT and to compare the findings with those of the previous survey.MethodsTwo questionnaires were sent to all 48 inpatient psychiatric centers in Poland. The first one - to units providing ECT to explore its practice, and the second - to units not performing ECT to explore the reasons for not using this treatment.ResultsNineteen (39.6%) of all psychiatric inpatient centers confirmed the use of ECT. The utilization rate was 0.13 patients/10,000 inhabitants. Similar to the findings from 2005, the main indications were affective disorders, and bitemporal electrode placement was the dominant method used for the delivery of ECT. Age-based and titration-based methods were applied exclusively in 50% and 25% of the centers, respectively (compared with 15% and 35% in 2005, respectively), while both methods were used in the remaining 25%. Improvements in safety were reflected by the use of comprehensive pre-ECT evaluation and treatment monitoring. None of the centers used sine-wave devices; this contrasts with their use by 29% of the centers in 2005. The main reasons for not using ECT were insufficient funding and a lack of experienced staff.ConclusionThe frequency of ECT use in Poland remains very low. In view of the improvement in the quality of health services in the past decade, such a markedly rare use of an effective treatment was unexpected. There is an urgent need of education to create more positive attitude towards ECT among health professionals and among public, and to increase the training of mental health professionals in ECT.

Training nonspecialists in clinical evaluation for telepsychiatry using videoconferencing: A feasibility and effectiveness study.

Aims:Videoconferencing-based telepsychiatry has been used successfully for the assessment and management of psychiatric disorders. However, training mental health professionals through videoconferencing has seldom been attempted. Online decision support systems for diagnosing psychiatric disorders had been developed earlier at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, as a part of a project for delivering telepsychiatric services to remote areas. The feasibility of videoconferencing for training nonspecialist staff in the use of the online tool to diagnose psychiatric disorders was examined. The effectiveness of training was evaluated using ratings of diagnostic agreement between trainees and trainers and estimations of training costs.Methods:The Skype platform was used for videoconferences (VCs). Broadband internet connections had bandwidths of 4 mbps and speeds of 512 kbps. A total of 62 training sessions were conducted by the PGIMER team for remote-site teams using role-play techniques and actual patient interviews.Results:Videoconferencing-based training was considered to be convenient, satisfactory, and useful by all the participants. Diagnostic agreement between trainees and trainers was 89%–100%. Such training also appeared to be cost-effective. The main problems encountered were poor connectivity and poor audiovisual quality of the VCs.Conclusions:Videoconferencing can be feasible and effective for training nonspecialists to diagnose psychiatric disorders.

Structures and Mechanisms in Practical Training: An Investigation of Apperception of Practical Knowledge by the Student During the Training Process, and the Development of Training Programs Based on Co-constructed Practical Knowledge Base

Promotion of development of professional training programs requires investigation of structures and mechanisms of practical knowledge transfer processes. Since as psychotherapists we bear responsibility for the family system and transgenerational transmission, exploration of processes of practical training is an ethical obligation. Therefore, understanding the apperception of the trainee is especially crucial in mental health professional training. This article presents a research process of practical knowledge apperception, during the training process of professional development in psychotherapy, from the student’s perspective. The training programs developed based on research understandings are presented. Further research on interdisciplinary practical knowledge and professional training is required.

Policy Analysis on the Mental Health Needs of Overseas Filipino Workers: Addressing Gaps through Evidence-based Policy Reform

Background. There is an increasing number of distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) due to adverse working conditions and unresolved post-repatriation issues. The enactment of the Republic Act 11036 (Mental Health Act) in 2018 supports the commitment of the State in promoting and protecting the mental health of every Filipino.
 Methods. A systematic review of literature was conducted to generate evidence-based policy tools for the round table discussion conducted by the UP Manila Health Policy Development Hub, engaging all major stakeholders from all sides of the policy issue. Strengths and challenges of the current government initiatives in the phases of predeployment, deployment, repatriation, and reintegration were discussed to attain consensus policy recommendations.
 Results. Increased migration led to a cascade of distressed OFWs and their subsequent need for trained mental health professionals. In host countries, challenges in on-site services include (i) limited psychiatry practice as prescribed by law of the host countries, (ii) reciprocity of the host country in allowing more welfare officers, and (iii) budget to support more plantilla items of Assistance to Nationals (ATN) staff. The inter-agency collaboration and legal support for all phases of migration should be holistic and set.
 Conclusions and Recommendations. From the literature review and policy discussion, consensus recommendations included strengthening pre-deployment preparation, curbing the trafficking of minors, improving psychiatry practice through the Bilateral Labor Agreement, developing psychosocial counseling competencies among front line host country personnel, enhancing telecounselling services and exploring telemedicine, among others.

BUILDING ONLINE AND TELEPHONE PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID SERVICES IN A LOW RESOURCE SETTING DURING COVID-19: THE CASE OF KOSOVO

The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures brought for prevention of infections are associated with considerable psychosocial and psychological morbidity in the general population. Providing continuous mental health services during the pandemics is a challenge worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper reports on the strategies and activities taken to protect public mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kosovo. This included establishing online and phone psychological first aid services and developing psychoeducational videos and webinars. The paper concludes with several lessons learned during the process of establishing and maintaining these interventions, such as: initial political endorsement is crucial to gain and maintain the momentum of services; continuous training of volunteers is crucial for both addressing the needs/problems, which arise during the process of work and maintain the motivation of volunteers; promotion of the services is crucial; academic curricula training mental health professionals should include digital mental health related courses and manualization on how to establish this kind of services in midst of crisis is crucial in order to ensure quick operationalization when needed again especially in LMIC settings. The interventions developed provide opportunity for further research especially by evaluating the impact of the services and exploring how online and provision of mental health and psychoeducation services online could help to cover services gap in times of isolation, limited movement and situations similar to pandemics in settings with limited mental health services and resources. The situation with pandemics with COVID 19 is still far from ending. Future waves of infections and restriction could again spike the mental health and psychosocial and psychological strain of the general population, therefore being prepared in provisions of psychological first aid and other mental health services online is crucial.

Introduction to the special issue: Complementary medicine and integrative health approaches to trauma therapy and recovery.

The popularity of complementary and integrative health (also complementary integrated health; CIH) approaches has significantly increased in recent years. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), part of the National Institutes of Health, about 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 9 children used CIH approaches to healing. Some reports estimate that the use of CIH approaches will continue to increase (Clarke et al., 2015) as these therapies are cost effective and also due to the difficulties in finding trained mental health professionals (Simon et al., 2020). For the purpose of this special issue, we use the NCCIH's definition of CIH as "a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine" (Barnes et al., 2004, p. v). However, the integration of these therapies into the health system has not followed the same pattern despite the fact that patients report the need to discuss CIH therapies with their doctors or are actually using them (de Jonge et al., 2018; Jou & Johnson, 2016; Stapleton et al., 2015). This inability to keep up with the demand or patients' preference is possibly due to providers' lack of understanding and/or knowledge of these therapies, as well as scientific skepticism (Ali & Katz, 2015; Fletcher et al., 2017). Using data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, Jou & Johnson (2016) identified patterns of CIH use in the United States and reasons for patients' nondisclosure of the use of these therapies. Patients' fear of disclosure due to perceived skepticism or disapproval from their provider was frequently attributed as a cause of patients' nondisclosures to providers about the use of these therapies (Eisenberg et al., 2001; Jou & Johnson, 2016; Thomson et al., 2012). The arrival of patient-centered care models is beginning to shift the ways we understand the patient's role in treatment engagement. Patient-centered approaches often emphasize the use of preventative and holistic wellness models that go beyond the use of evidence-based treatments. This approach also seeks to be culturally responsive, which is a key factor in addressing health disparities in the United States (American Psychological Association [APA], 2019). The Institute of Medicine, in its report on CIH therapies, highlighted the importance of engaging patients in their own care, including having a decision about therapeutic options (Bondurant et al., 2005). Likewise, the Race and Ethnicity Guidelines in Psychology (APA, 2019) recommend psychologists engage the patient's cultural beliefs, or what Kleinman called the "explanatory belief model" (Kleinman, 1978)- for example, by "aim[ing] to understand and encourage indigenous/ ethnocultural sources of healing within professional practice" (APA, 2019, p. 24). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Clergy as a frontline mental health service: a UK survey of medical practitioners and clergy

BackgroundChristian clergy have often been identified as ‘frontline mental health workers’ and gatekeepers to mental health services. However, despite this, collaboration between clergy and mental health services remains poor, with...

Exploring mental health carers’ caregiving experiences in France

PurposeFrance, once a pioneer in psychiatry, is now sinking as its population faces major mental health challenges. This includes the 12 Million French individuals with psychiatric conditions, the lack of appropriate structures and the shortage of skilled mental health professionals, but it also leaves families in critical situations. The purpose of this study is to explore the carers’ caregiving experiences and to suggest ways to organise educational programmes to support mental health carers in France.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted from January 2018 to November 2019. It included French carers of patients with mental conditions. Recorded semi-structured interviews were used and findings were analysed through an inductive thematic analysis and regrouped into key themes.FindingsParticipants had overwhelming negative representations of “mental illness”. The fact that they were excluded from participating in the patient’s health management further added to their misconceptions around mental disability, it limited their communication with their family and amplified their burdens.Research limitations/implicationsThere is an urgent need for carer empowerment; carers should be included in educational programmes, they should benefit from French Government subsidies and social-network assistance and receive quality assistance by trained mental health professionals. The critical situation of carers can only be addressed by combining these three steps and through the action of appropriate actors in the field of mental health, thus alleviating the current paradigm of psychiatric care in France.Originality/valueThousands of research papers regarding carers have been published in other countries. In addition yet, to the knowledge, only a few investigations on French mental health carers have been conducted to this day. The singularity of this research lies in the rare individual interviews, which provided us with first-hand testimonies of mental health carers in France. This data could be of vital aid for professionals and for policymakers when advocating for better support of carers in mental health.

Psychiatric and post-traumatic stress disorders among COVID-19 survivors

Evidences related to neuropsychological impact of COVID-19 and its long-term side effects are beginning to emerge that may take years to catalogue the number of diseases and their treatments. Nonetheless, as neuropsychologists are evaluating COVID-19 survivors, a debate related to the psychiatric and neurocognitive sequels of past outbreaks, along with the recurrent co- occurrence of PTSD and acquired brain injuries, may be enlightening. This paper is highlighting the emergence of mental health issues that can be addressed and treatments can be provided according to the need of time. Technology has also been increasing day by day according to the current needs of public. COVID- 19 crisis has now shifted the focus towards the role of digital health care. For ensuring the best and right use of tele-health and app tools in such crises, it is suggested that there is a need for training of mental health professionals to ensure proper protocols for improved efficacy.

Men with Depression and Inpatient Mental Health Treatment: Professionals' Perspectives on Treatment Needs and Aims

To meet mental health needs in men with depression, gender sensitive services are needed and recommended. Therefore, mental health professionals' views on care needs among men with depression that should be met by gender-sensitive services were assessed and consequences for inpatient treatment are considered. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 mental health professionals focusing on men's specific needs in depression treatment against the background of male gender role expectations. Qualitative Content Analysis was performed using MAXqda-Software. Men with depression benefit from individual talk with staff and structured activity during treatment. Men-only groups are assessed as enabling critical reflection of aspects of masculinity. Physical activities and handicraft enable men to examine their performance level. Services focusing on men's specific needs are assessed as helpful but largely inexistent. Expectations of social gender roles and their implications for mental health treatment should be considered in both mental health professional training and mental health treatment.

Attitude Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Among Community-Dwelling Population in China.

ObjectiveTo explore the attitudes and factors in seeking professional psychological help among a Chinese community-dwelling population in order to promote positive help-seeking behaviors and better utilization of mental health services.MethodsUsing system and simple random sampling with Kish selection table methods, 912 community-dwelling residents were included in this study and asked about their attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, depression symptoms, family function, depression literacy, help-seeking intention, and stigma.ResultsScores on the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help scale (ATSPPH-SF) indicated a neutral attitude toward openness to seeking treatment for psychological problems and a negative attitude toward the value and need to seek treatment with a negative total score. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that gender, age, social support (employment status and family function), depression literacy, stigma, and help-seeking intention are significantly associated with attitude toward seeking professional psychological help.ConclusionThe overall attitude toward seeking professional psychological help is not optimistic, thus, more efforts are needed to enhance understanding. Effective interventions including mental health education, training of mental health professionals, and popularizing the use of mental health services are essential, especially for the at-risk population.

Building Emotional Resilience in Youth in Lebanon: a School-Based Randomized Controlled Trial of the FRIENDS Intervention.

In Lebanon, approximately one in four adolescents suffers from a psychiatric disorder. Alarmingly, 94% of adolescents with a mental disorder have not sought any treatment. This study assessed the effectiveness of an evidence-based school-based universal mental health intervention (the FRIENDS program) in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in middle school students in Lebanon. A total of 280 6th graders aged 11-13years were recruited from 10 schools in Beirut. Schools were matched on size and tuition and randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. The FRIENDS program was translated into Arabic, adapted, and then implemented by trained mental health professionals during 10 classroom sessions over 3months. We assessed sociodemographic and relevant psychological symptoms by self-report, using the Scale for Childhood Anxiety and Related Disorders (SCARED), Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), at baseline. We re-administered these scales at 3months post-intervention. There was a significant time × group interaction for the SDQ emotional score (p = 0.011) and total MFQ score (p = 0.039) indicating significant improvement in depressive and emotional symptoms in the intervention group. Subgroup analysis by gender showed a significant time × group interaction for the total SCARED score (p = 0.025) in females but not in males (p = 0.137), consistent with a reduction of anxiety symptoms in this stratum of the intervention group as compared with the control group. The FRIENDS program was effective in reducing general emotional and depressive symptoms among middle school students in this Lebanese study population. This intervention provides an opportunity for promoting mental health in Lebanese schools and reducing the treatment gap in mental health care.

Pilot Study of an Online Parent-Training Course for Disruptive Behavior with Live Remote Coaching for Practitioners.

Many clinicians find it challenging to obtain training in evidence-based interventions, including behavioral parent training, which is considered the front-line treatment for children with disruptive behaviors (Chacko et al., 2017). Workshops, ongoing consultation, and feedback provided in person are effective, yet are rarely feasible for clinicians in the field (Fixsen, Blase, Duda, Naoom, & Van Dyke, 2010). The purpose of the present study was to conduct a preliminary assessment of an online tutorial combined with live remote coaching for training mental health professionals in behavioral parent training. Participants in this pretest-posttest open trial were 22 clinicians and graduate students (73% female) from around the United States. The web platform operated successfully, and clinicians found the training to be highly satisfactory. Compared to pre-training, participants demonstrated large improvements in knowledge about disruptive behavior and behavioral parent training and performed significantly better on demonstrations of skill in administering behavioral parent-training components. An online course combined with live remote coaching is a promising methodology for significantly increasing the number of clinicians trained in evidence-based interventions for disruptive behavior in children. Next steps for evaluation and expansion of this training model are discussed.

766 Clinical Outcome Assessment of a Psychosocial Intensive Retreat for Girls with Severe Burns

Abstract Introduction Burn camps and peer support groups are widely utilized for the psychosocial care of pediatric burn survivors, providing community and recreation. However, camps and support groups often do not involve psychological therapy to assist with potential distress. This abstract presents program development outcome assessments for an alternative approach to psychosocial care: a psychosocial intensive retreat for adolescent survivors of pediatric burns, led by trained mental health professionals, with group therapy interspersed with recreation. Methods A 6-day, residential psychosocial intensive was open to adolescent girls with disfiguring burns. Psychological assessments were administered for clinical utility at the start (T0) and end (T1) of the program and were used to guide programming. Assessments included: Posttraumatic Stress Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL), Satisfaction with Appearance Scale (SWAP), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ) measuring psychological inflexibility. Bivariate correlations and univariate t-tests were used to assess program outcomes. Results Fifteen girls (Mage = 16, SD = 2.04; Mageofburn = 6.64, SD = 5.40) attended. At T0, girls reported subclinical scores (PCL (M = 23.53, SD = 20.20, range 1–65); SWAP (M = 44.93, SD = 11.88); RSES (M = 27.28, SD = 5.76); AAQ (M = 20.71, SD = 9.64) with a subset of 5 reporting clinical distress on PCL. Therapeutic programming was adjusted to primarily focus on typically developing adolescent issues such as communication, boundaries, identity formation, and healthy relationships, with some burns-specific groups (grief and loss, social exposures). Those with clinically significant distress participated in trauma and affect regulation training. AAQ at T0 was negatively associated with RSES (r = -.78, p = .003) and positively associated with PCL scores (r = .82, p < .001). RSES was negatively associated with PCL (r = -.87, p < .001). SWAP was not associated with any measures. From T0 (M = 26.70, SD = 6.07) to T1 (M = 30.18, SD = 5.74) girls reported a significant increase in RSES, t(10) = -3.15, p = .01. As expected given low symptoms reported at T0, no other pre to post changes occurred. TBSA, time since burn and age were not associated with outcome variables. Conclusions Overall, girls suffered burn injury before the age of 7 and current symptom profiles replicated prior literature supporting subthreshold, long-term psychological morbidity for pediatric burns. A brief, 6 day psychosocial intensive may facilitate growth in self-esteem. Use of clinical assessments to inform programming is emphasized. Applicability of Research to Practice Psychosocial intensives that intersperse empirically-supported, assessment-driven therapeutic programming with social connection may be useful in increasing adolescent self-esteem for girls with a history of disfiguring burns.

Changes in Practice following a Continuing Education Training on Suicide Assessment and Intervention: Training Participants’ Perspectives

ABSTRACTIn the United States, suicide rates have risen 30% from 1999 to 2016. To decrease suicide rates, mental health professionals must use best practices to assess, manage, and intervene with clients with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This qualitative research study (N = 60) interviewed participants of a one-day continuing education training titled Suicide Assessment and Intervention Training for Mental Health Professionals (SAIT) to explore if and how they changed their practice as a result of the training. Most participants (N = 54) described changes in practice. The major themes involved conversations about suicide, responses to client disclosure of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and relationships with clients.

Letter to editor: Re: "Primary care physician's approach for mental health impact of COVID-19": Case of migrant workers mental health.

Dear Editor, We read the article by Rohilla[1] with great interest where the authors have described that how our primary care physician colleagues can share the responsibility and can manage the psychological burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the many special groups identified by authors,[1] we would like to highlight the psychological issues related to needs of a very important subgroup, that is, “Migrant workers.”[23] The migrant population is already very vulnerable and in addition to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 has brought tremendous challenges for this population.[4] Migration is a process in which people move to another place with the hope of making their lives better. Unskilled and uneducated people lacking job opportunities in local areas often migrate temporary from remote places to larger cities in India. Nationwide lockdown and travel restrictions placed in order of containing virus spread resulted in unbearable social stigma, isolation, income loss, fear and risk for mental health concerns, including suicide.[56] Recently, an editorial “Mental health of migrant laborers in COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown: Challenges ahead” and another article “COVID-19 pandemic: Mental health challenges of internal migrant workers (IMW) of India” draws timely attention to the increased risk and rates of mental health problems among IMWs in India.[37] Mental health problems can have biological, social, and environmental influences in etiopathogenesis and all these are at heightened interplay during the COVID-19 pandemic for IMWs.[8] The attempts of virus containment affected all components of the social system and thus mental health of internal migrant workers globally but particularly in India. The present COVID-19 pandemic has created extremely challenging social situations. It resulted into more significant social exclusion and risk for mental health problems. Due to inherent vulnerability, migrant workers are at higher risk.[9] Four components of the social-ecological model, individual (intrapersonal), interpersonal relationships, community, and societal policies influence the mental health of an individual.[10] It is essential to recognize that the risk of increased mental health issues that have mainly originated due to social factors and distress should be handled in the context of social-ecological approaches of mental health intervention.[11] The need for mental health care has been sensed by the providers and government officials in several countries, including India. To address the present epidemic related challenges, as an alternative to the face-to-face, mental health services, interventions are being planned and need to be offered in an online mode [Table 1]. In the setting of online mode, psychiatric services offered by trained mental health professionals can be considered the main component to overcome the mental health-related problems.Table 1: Suggestions for addressing concurrent mental health issues of migrants in social ecological health care frameworkFinancial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

Study on the integration of mental health support into primary health care in Guinea

Introductionla faible couverture des services spécialisés et la pénurie en ressources humaines en santé mentale représentent d´immenses défis pour les systèmes de santé en Afrique. L'intégration de la santé mentale dans les soins de santé primaires constitue un complément substantiel et faisable aux services spécialisés. Cette étude rassemble et analyse les données générées dans 5 Centres de santé (CS) ayant intégrés ce paquet de soins en Guinée.Méthodesl'étude descriptive porte sur les nouveaux cas de santé mentale entre 2012 et 2017. Les motifs de consultations et les diagnostics posés ont été répertoriés et analysés sur la base des registres de consultation et des dossiers médicaux individuels.Résultatsau total 4995 patients ont consulté pour un problème de santé mentale, ce qui représente 2,8% des consultations générales (de 0,5 à 7,7% selon les centres). La moyenne d'âge des patients était de 27,9 ans (± 16,1). Les motifs de consultations les plus fréquents étaient les insomnies: 44,4% (n = 2081), les crises convulsives: 39% (n = 1827), les troubles du comportement: 31,9% (n = 1263) et les hallucinations: 26,1% (n = 1224). Les diagnostics les plus fréquemment posés étaient l'épilepsie : 36,8% (n = 1773) et les troubles psychotiques: 33,5% (n = 1613). 88,4% (n = 4418) des patients ont reçu un traitement médicamenteux, le plus souvent combiné avec un soutien psychologique.Conclusionl´étude montre que dans le contexte guinéen où l´accès aux soins spécialisés en santé mentale est très limité, les malades mentaux, même atteints de pathologies lourdes, peuvent être suivis dans des Centres de santé par un personnel non spécialiste mais formé en santé mentale.

The Ghana Project in Psychiatry: A Systematic Description of the Mental Health Services

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.