Mental health experts in Ghana are raising awareness about the often overlooked issue of maternal mental health challenges that impact pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Dr. Vida, the Deputy Director of Nurses for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, emphasized the crucial need for increased support and awareness for pregnant women, especially during the postpartum period.
During an interview with JoyNews, Dr. Vida highlighted the struggles that pregnant women with mental health issues face in caring for their babies, particularly when lacking support at home. In response to this pressing issue, the Mental Health Authority has launched a series of events for Mental Health Awareness Month, focusing on maternal mental health issues.
Registered mental health professional Lydia Sackey and Psychiatrist Lorna Lartey outlined initiatives aimed at shedding light on maternal mental health challenges and providing assistance to those affected. The Mental Health Authority has dedicated the entire month of May to raising awareness about mental health, with a specific focus on maternal mental health.
Events scheduled for Mental Health Awareness Month include school mental health education, specialist outreach clinics, workplace mental health training, and community engagement activities. Dr. Lartey highlighted the prevalence of maternal mental health issues among perinatal women and underscored the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure the well-being of mothers and their children.
The month-long initiative aims to educate the public about mental health and mental illness, combat stigma, and offer support to individuals grappling with maternal mental health challenges.
