Mental health issues among the youth of Ghana have become a big challenge to families and the country. Ghana is struggling with mental health needs of citizens because of few psychiatric hospitals. The hospitals are congested and few mental health professionals. There is also a lack of community and rehabilitative and psychological support. Mental health issues is on the increase in the youth due to substance abuse addiction. There is high depression rate due to economic and family hardship. Intellectual disabilities due to trauma, mixed energy drinks bad association and lot of anxiety. There is also less education and awareness creation on the effect of substance like weed, tramadol etc.
This program is design for mental health workers and Students studying psychology in school. It is also for anyone who has compassion to care for these patients.
Volunteers therefore come in to shadow health officials to perform various services. This includes attending to patients at the hospital, home visit to educate families on stigmatization etc. Education and sensitization of drug abuse and its implication. Directing patients to clinics within their vicinity where they can seek support. Educating community and family members on how to support mental health patients. Volunteers work with doctors and nurses on the following services;
Mental state examination
Psychotherapy
Group and individual counselling
Addiction management
Detoxification
Anger management
Care of the mentally ill.
Volunteers can use this placement for academic purpose. SFLIG Volunteers will let the director of the psychiatric unit access and fill the forms.