DEPRESSION IS THE LEADING MENTAL PROBLEM IN GHANA AND NOT MADNESS
By:Leslie McCarth(AMMREN GHANA)

In Ghana, there is the general perception that madness is the leading Mental Health problem in the country.

Scientific research on Mental Health conducted by the Kintampo Health Research Centre has however identified depression as the leading Mental Health Problem in Ghana.

The study proved that in Ghana now, about 80% off the population are suffering from different forms of depression. Some of the commonest Psychological, Social and Economic factors identified to be increasing cause of depression include poverty, frustration, stress, conflicts of insecurity in marriage and the workplace, low self esteem, divorce, ageing woman without husbands, among other things.

A Clinical Psychologist and Research Fellow at the Centre raised the issue during an interaction with Malaria and Media Advocates of the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) who visited the centre to be updated on ongoing research at the centre, particularly the Malaria Vaccine Trial that begun last year.

Speaking to Peace FM`s Leslie McCarthy on the Mental Problem in Ghana, Mr. Bright Akpalu, the clinical Psychologist and Research Fellow said many Ghanaians out of depression are suffering from anxiety, sleepless nights, loss of interest in sex, loneliness, easy provocation, feeling of discouragement and hopelessness, persistent headache and fatigue among others. He said many unfortunately do not know these are symptoms of depression and therefore ignorant that it can be treated through counseling or medication. He had to say.