A descriptive study design was employed for this study. Although there is a lack of reliable data regarding the prevalence of mental and neurological disorders in the country, who estimates that approximately percent of ghanaians suffer from a mental disorder. The passing of the act was a culmination of a lot of work by various individuals and institutions spanning several decades. Mental health law needs a legislative instrument news ghana. Mental health policy in ghana has historically been unfeasible and poorly implemented.
The study sought to investigate health workers knowledge on mental health legislation in ghana focusing on the certificate of urgency. Service guidance package mental health information. Legislation 17 financing of mental health services 17 nongovernmental funding for mental health in ghana 17 public funding for mental health in ghana 18 monitoring of human rights 18 access to psychotropic medicines 5. To conduct a situation analysis of the status of mental health care in ghana and to propose options for scaling up the provision of mental health care.
Ghanas new mental health bill aims to address stigma. A mental health policy, plan and legislation were in place. Melvyn freeman formerly department of health, pretoria, south africa and. In 20 legislation prohibited the killing of newborn babies with disabilities, so called spirit children. A mental health policy 1996 and plan 20072011 existed but emergency and disaster plans for mental health did not exist until 2012 when the mental health act 846 2012 was passed. Sale of tobacco products administrative and miscellaneous provisions 69. Mental health law profiles collection cambridge core. This study aims to describe the views of key stakeholders in mental health in ghana on the challenges faced with regard to the implementation of, and priorities for implementation of, the 2012 mental health act of ghana. May 04, 2014 in 2011, ghana was a lower middle income country with a population of approximately 25 million. However, there exists an absence of information on efficacy, side effects, accessibility. Knowledge on mental health legislation in ghana focusing on the certificate of urgency. Ghana breaks the chains on mental health human rights watch. Oct 16, 2017 the head of ghanas mental health authority announced that as of october 10, world mental health day, the countrys ban on shackling in place since 2012 will finally be properly enforced.
The last major revision of mental health law was undertaken in the late 1960s. Even government spending on mental health reflects the priority attached to the issue, with a mere 1. The head of ghanas mental health authority announced that as of october 10, world mental health day, the countrys ban on shackling in place. Act 846 mental health act, 2012 arrangement of sections. This study assessed the situation of mental health care in ghana, an anglophone democratic republic in west africa. The mental health act mha 1983 is a piece of legislation in england and wales which tells people with mental health problems what their rights are regarding. Jun 28, 2018 mental illness can affect anyone irrespective of race, gender or personal characteristics. I on mental health when passed, will go a long way to help remove mental patients from the streets of the country, dr akwasi osei, chief executive officer ceo of the mental health authority mha, has said. The mental health act of 2012 lays out the legislative framework for a levy, and says the finance minister should set up this resource to fund mental health. Ghana health service and teaching hospiias 1996 b any public officer other than health personnel employed in the ministry of health immedialely before the conz mg into force of this act who may be seconded or trans ferred to the service. The mental health system in ghana mental health innovation. Pdf knowledge of mental health legislation in ghana.
For example, those wishing to address the issue of mental health legislation may find the module entitled mental health legislation and human rights useful for this purpose. To achieve the targets for the reduction of child mortality, which forms mdg 4, ghana should reduce underfive deaths per 1,000 live births to 43, and increase measles immunisation to 100 per cent by 2015. An estimated five million ghanaians have disabilities, of which 2. At this time, mental health had a ringfenced budget of 1. Mental health society of ghana mehsog is a broadbased grassroots membership association of mental health and epilepsy service users and their primary carergivers with members across ghana. The act includes provisions for the creation of a modern, communitybased mental health system and for the protection of the rights of persons with mental disorders. On the 19th of november, 20, the mental health authority board was inaugrated. Mental health care is becoming a critical international concern, but developing countries are still straining to attend to the mental health needs of their suffering and stigmatized citizens. The who mental health policy and plan checklist and who mental health legislation checklist were used to assess the content of mental health policy, plans and legislation in ghana.
In 2012 ghana passed a new mental health act, which aimed to create a new system of mental healthcare in ghana. Functions of the regional mental health subcommittee 20. None declared summary ghana successfully passed a mental health act law in march 2012. Ghana s mental health bill has gained the support of doctors, nurses and traditional healers and can serve as a model for other african countries wishing to develop progressive mental health laws that respect international human rights standards. Ghana is a low income country based on the world bank 2004 criteria and has an adult literacy rate of 54. A mental health policy, plan and mental health legislation exist in ghana. David macaulay, former ddns of accra psychiatric hospital and also a strong advocate for mental health in ghana. They can serve as a training packagefor policymakers, planners and others involved in organizing, delivering and funding mental health services. The mental health act of 2012 lays out the legislative framework for a levy, and says the finance minister should set. The current mental health act the passage of the mental health act 2012 by parliament in march 2012 is a major milestone in addressing mental health as a public health issue and also in the protection of the human rights of people with mental disorders in ghana.
Oct 09, 2017 executive director of basicneeds ghana. The status of mental health care in ghana, west africa and. Mental health has become a national health priority in the west. Ghana successfully passed a mental health act law in march 2012. In 2011, ghana was a lower middle income country with a population of approximately 25 million. The study population included medical doctors, physician assistants, and nursesmidwives. Pdf a situation analysis of mental health services and. Emergency and disaster plans for mental health do not exist. Since most of these conditions are chronic cases, the medications are consumed for prolonged periods of time. Policy development and challenges of global mental health. Appointment of other staff of the mental health authority 17. A survey of the existing mental health system in ghana was conducted using the who assessment instrument for mental health systems. Mental health legislation was outdated and no longer in line with best practice standards. Mental illness can affect anyone irrespective of race, gender or personal characteristics.
As such, we are proud to bring to you short profiles of those who make up the board. Whoaims report template who world health organization. The resource book on mental health, human rights and legislation was produced under the direction of michelle funk, natalie drew and benedetto saraceno, department of mental health and substance abuse, world health organization. Organisations and persons working around mental health say lack of a legislative instrument backing ghana. Iclg data protection laws and regulations ghana covers relevant legislation and competent authorities, territorial scope, key principles, individual rights, registration formalities, appointment of a data protection officer and of processors in 42 jurisdictions. A situation analysis of mental health services and legislation in ghana.
In managing these patients, psychotropic medications are mostly employed. Public health act, 2012 act 851 food and agriculture. Oct 27, 2017 in ghana and most african countries, the belief and practice of witchcraft and its relation to mental illnesses and seeking of mental health treatments from native doctorstraditional healings and spiritualprayer camps healers are common and these traditionalnative healers are regarded as part of the wider cultural belief systems amoasare 1994. The goal of this study is to identify the transition and implementation challenges of mental health policies in. List of best mental health care companies in accra, ghana, top mental health care companies in accra, ghana, mental health care companies near me, best mental health care companies. It is a nongovernmental organization which works to represent the needs and interest of people with mental illness or epilepsy as well as their primary. The ghana country health profiles provide an overview of the situation and trends of priority health problems and the health systems profile, including a description of institutional frameworks, trends in the national response, key issues and challenges. Aug 29, 2011 a bill before ghanas parliament aims to improve mental healthcare and encourage more health professionals to enter the sector by tackling one of the greatest impediments to both stigma. Mental health policy can be an essential and powerful tool to improve a populations mental health.
The passing of the act was a culmination of a lot of work by various individuals and institutions. Challenges for transformation article pdf available in african journal of psychiatry 2. In ghana and most african countries, the belief and practice of witchcraft and its relation to mental illnesses and seeking of mental health treatments from native doctorstraditional healings and spiritualprayer camps healers are common and these traditionalnative healers are regarded as part of the wider cultural belief systems amoasare 1994. Ghana suffer from a severe mental disorder and further 2. Service guidance package mental health information systems. Ghana is currently working towards achievement of the millennium development goals. However, there exists an absence of information on efficacy, side effects. Ghanas mental health bill has gained the support of doctors, nurses and traditional healers and can serve as a model for other african countries wishing to develop progressive mental health laws that respect international human rights standards. A situation analysis of mental health services and. Isolated, understaffed, and poorlymaintained psychiatric facilities is the only picture of mental health that most are familiar with in ghana. The mental health bill is a draft law that acknowledges the current international instruments and obligations on human rights as an important tool to promote and protect the rights of persons with. Data protection 2019 laws and regulations ghana iclg.
A crosssectional qualitative study with 12 participants, using semistructured interviews. Stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion of the mentally. Ghana and the entire mental health fraternity wish to thank you for your service and commitment. This was very welcome news since it was long overdue as per the stipulations in the mental health law, act 846. The act includes provisions for the creation of a modern, communitybased mental. The passage of the mental health act 2012 by parliament in march 2012 is a major milestone in addressing mental health as a public health issue and also in the protection of the human rights of people with mental disorders in ghana. A bill before ghanas parliament aims to improve mental healthcare and encourage more health professionals to enter the sector by tackling one of the greatest impediments to both stigma.
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