Victims of mental health challenges have been urged to break their silence, seek help, and speak up without fear of losing their jobs or any other opportunities.
This powerful message echoed throughout the inaugural Mental Health Forum (MHF) 2025, held in Accra, as advocates and experts rallied Ghanaians to take mental wellness seriously.
Boakyewaa Glover — renowned organizational psychologist, author, and mental health advocate — emphatically stated that no employer has the legal or moral right to terminate anyone based on their mental health status.
“No HR can sack you because of your mental health challenges,” she said. “No manager has the right to attribute your output to your mental health unless diagnosed by a doctor. Mental health knows no status — it affects the rich and the poor alike. Don’t be afraid; speak up anytime you have a challenge.”
The event, themed “Beyond Stigma – Changing the Mental Health Narrative in Ghana,” marked a historic step toward reshaping national conversations on mental wellness.
Organized by the Premier Rehabilitation Centre, the forum drew psychologists, youth advocates, creatives, and individuals with lived experiences to ignite change through dialogue, education, and storytelling.
The Founder of the Premier Rehabilitation Centre and convener of the forum, Jahara M. Osman, underscored the urgency of changing societal attitudes.
“The Forum is rooted in the belief that addressing stigma is the first step toward inclusive, accessible, and sustainable mental health solutions in Ghana,” she noted. “We must create safe spaces for healing and collaboration.”
A leading Clinical and Health Psychologist at the University of Ghana, Professor Joseph Osafo, spotlighted the severe impact of mental illness among the elderly.
“The aged in Ghana are suffering in silence due to neglect, social isolation, and verbal abuse,” he warned. “When older people are called witches or left alone to grapple with the deaths of their peers, the psychological toll is enormous.”
He urged families to treat the elderly with empathy and consistency — visiting them, calling regularly, and eliminating the harmful language that isolates them further.
MHF 2025’s objectives were clear: raise awareness, promote education, and strengthen partnerships across public and private sectors. Attendees were equipped with resources to not only support their own wellbeing but also advocate for others — particularly youth — to lead peer-driven mental health advocacy.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu
