Director of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Kwadwo Marfo Obeng, has urged the public to seek mental health attention whenever one experiences extreme emotional imbalance to avert its development into an advanced mental condition.
He stated that difficulty or inability to sleep, unnecessary anger, frequent extreme mood swings, lack of concentration, and frequent loss of appetite, among others could be a result of a mental condition, hence the need to visit a psychiatrist when these signs begin to manifest.
Dr. Obeng, bemoaned the lack of attention to mental health in the country calling for collaborative initiatives between corporate entities, civil society organisations, and health institutions to raise awareness about the mental well-being of employees.
He emphasised the importance of seeking mental health attention early when experiencing extreme emotional imbalance as a precautionary measure to mitigate any developing condition, as early diagnosis is key to addressing the issue.
The medical director highlighted common indicators of extreme emotional imbalance, such as intense feelings of anxiety, sadness, or anger, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and increased substance abuse or self-destructive behaviours, among others.
“It is important to take mental health issues seriously, anyone who is not sleeping well like they should do, and feeling easily annoyed by little things among other things are signs that the person’s mental health is not at 100 percent and that person might benefit from talking to a mental health professional.
“Early recognition of emotional distress and taking proactive steps to address them is significant. Ignoring mental health concerns can lead to severe consequences, including the development of mental health disorders,” he said.
Touching on how to maintain mental health, Dr. Obeng urged individuals to prioritise regular exercise, eat healthy food, get adequate sleep, and get mental professional assistance without necessarily being prescribed any drugs.
“Mental health facilities offer a range of services, including counselling, therapy, and medication management, to support individuals in achieving emotional balance and overall well-being,” he emphasised.
Dr. Obeng made these remarks at the hospital’s premises during a donation exercise by the KGL Foundation to support patients at the facility experience a fun-filled festivity.
KGL to Uplift Accra Psychiatric Hospital
KGL Foundation, the humanitarian arm of the KGL Group, donated items worth GH₵50,000 including toiletries, bags of rice, cooking oil, detergents, and bags of maize.
As part of KGL’s long-term support seek to upgrade the hospital’s digital and physical infrastructure.
This facelift seeks to provide a safer, more comfortable, and therapeutic environment leading to better treatment outcomes.
Programmes Manager, KGL Foundation, Nii Ankonu Annorbah-Sarpei, mentioned that his outfit has supported the hospital over the year and is committed to continually supporting the facility’s face uplift.
“We are committed to renovating several units within the hospital to create a more conducive environment for mental health care. A key component of this initiative is the installation of solar panels across various wards, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability,” he said.
He further stated that the foundation is in the process of digitalising the entire operations of the facility as modernising the hospital’s facilities will help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and encourage more people to seek help.
The KGL Foundation has procured an Electroencephalogram (EEG) for the hospital. Integrating the EEG technology with Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) machines is a groundbreaking advancement in treating severe mental health conditions.
