The Mental Health Authority of Ghana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and various stakeholders, has declared May as “Purple Month,” dedicated to raising awareness about mental health.
This initiative aligns Ghana with other countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, which also observe May for similar purposes.
Prof. Pinaman Appau, CEO of the Mental Health Authority, emphasized the importance of extending awareness beyond the traditional World Mental Health Day observed on October 10th. She stated that a single day is not sufficient to address the complex issues surrounding mental health and that expanding the focus to the entire month can have a more significant impact.
The decision to shift to May was strategic, avoiding conflicts with the overlapping observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and maximizing the impact of the awareness campaign. Inspired by Mental Health America’s initiative that began in 1949, Ghana’s Purple Month aims to boost mental health awareness, combat stigma, and celebrate recovery, making a genuine difference in the lives of Ghanaians.
Purple has been the symbolic color of the Mental Health Authority since its establishment, representing a blend of the calming stability of blue with the vibrant energy of red. This choice reflects the Authority’s commitment to providing hope and support to those affected by mental health conditions.
Mental health awareness plays a crucial role in the holistic well-being of individuals, but stigma and lack of understanding often deter people from seeking help, leading to isolation and reduced life quality and productivity. Purple Month seeks to change this by advancing mental health treatment and behavioral health education, fostering dialogue, encouraging proactive approaches to mental health, and ensuring early intervention.
This year’s Purple Month theme is “Movement: Moving for Our Mental Health,” highlighting the importance of physical activity on psychological well-being. With more than 2.3 million Ghanaians experiencing mental health disorders, awareness, education, and support for mental health advocacy are now more critical than ever.
During Purple Month, the Mental Health Authority focuses on enhancing understanding of mental health symptoms, diminishing stigma surrounding mental health, promoting mental health knowledge, and fostering mental well-being. The Authority invites everyone to engage in Purple Month activities, including media campaigns, local events, educational programs, and social media campaigns to inform and involve the public in mental health discourses.
By embracing Purple Month, Ghanaians can foster a supportive environment where mental well-being is prioritized, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive. The month-long campaign aims to improve mental health understanding, reduce stigma, and empower individuals to lead more fulfilled lives. It encourages citizens to add a touch of purple to their workplaces, wear ‘purple month’ or mental health-related T-shirts, share mental health-related information on social media, and use hashtags #MoveForMentalHealthGH and #PurpleMonth to inspire each other in their commitment to mental wellness.
