I am very critical about my writing, some days I wonder, will anyone ever read this? Do I sound eloquent? Do I sound stupid? Is my story even interesting? Then I realize, if no one were to ever read my blog, at least I could say that I opened up and shared a piece of myself with the world and no one can take that away from me. I don’t believe that writing is my strongest asset, which makes it even harder for me to write.

Everyday I struggle with my mental health, some days are better than others, but I am constantly reminded of what I went through and what I continue to face on a day-to-day basis. If I did not get the help I needed at the right moment, I sometimes think that I would still be in psychosis. I had a big support team that helped me through my recovery and I am forever grateful for them. Sadly, not everyone is granted the same amount of support depending on where you live in this world.

I am a Second-Generation Canadian, both of my parents were born in Ghana, West Africa. When it was first mentioned that I might have major depressive with psychotic features, my parents were shocked. Still to this day they do not truly understand what a mental illness is. I try my best to educate them but they still find it difficult to understand. No shade to my parents, I do love them with all my heart but they along side a lot of people in this world, have been conditioned to believe that anyone with a mental illness is “crazy”.

The United Nations special rapporteur on torture, Juan Mendez, reported that there is “a serious shortage of mental health services in Ghana with only 12 practising psychiatrists and 600 psychiatric nurses nationwide, for a population of over 25 million. That is only one psychiatrist for over 2 million people.”

Unfortunately, some individuals in various parts of Ghana, who display mental illness indicators, are often forced into prayer camps. The idea that God, religion and prayers can help heal someone with a mental illness alone without medications or any interventions is unfortunately a widespread belief. It is noted in the report that many of them are chained to walls and are starved for days. Sadly, this does not come as a major surprise to me. Although Ghana has implemented the Mental Health Act (Act 846), there are still major changes to be made. The stigma surrounding mental health in Ghana is high; some even abandon their family members in the psychiatric hospitals. Similarly basic access to medical supplies and new psychotic drugs remains difficult, as there are shortages, as well as high medical costs. Similarly to Canada, Ghana’s most common mental illnesses are mood and anxiety disorders which include Schizophrenia and Depression.

Ghana is gradually making a change to the way mental health is viewed. With the passing of Mental Health Act, Ghana is now executing a more community-based approach and focusing on training more nurses, doctors. Similarly like the rest of the world, more training and education is always essential. In order to debunk the stigma, mental health must be talked about and viewed in a positive light. It is also crucial for a diversified mix of people with mental health issues to be represented in the media.

As a Second-Generation Canadian with mental health issues, I feel as though it is important to shed light on how mental health is viewed throughout the world. I have been asked to speak at a conference being held by the Mental Health Foundation of Ghana about my own mental health story and my own personal viewpoints on the Canadian Mental Health system vs. the Ghanaian Mental Health System. We are currently in the process of developing a program in Ghana and Canada, which could bring those who are struggling with mental health issues together. This program could have them communicate with one another while developing new skills. It has been proven time and time again that peer support is very effective in helping to improve one’s struggle with their mental health.

Since the foundation is so new, they cannot afford to pay for my flight to Ghana. I am in the process of fundraising and would appreciate any donations that are possible. Here is my GoFundMe link. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me:

aufaonlove@gmail.ca

National Suicide Website /Hotline:

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

1-800-273-8255

References : https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/03/10/ghana-monitor-mental-health-facilities

Asare, J.B. Annual (2002 ) performance Review Institutional Care Division

Metal Health Unit. Paper presented at Senior Managers and Health Partners

Meeting February 2003

Asare J.B. Community Mental Health May 2003 presentation at Mental health

Forum in Accra

Asare J.B. Mental Health Priorities In Ghana 2003 Paper presented to GHS

Asare J.B. Welcome Address World Mental health Day October 2003 Mental

Health in crisis Presented to Chairman, Parliamentary select committee on Health.