Wandering without Hope

Munira (not her real name) has been manifesting mental illness after giving birth to her last child about 25 years ago. A good samaritan saw Munira, the 65-year-old woman from the Tolon district of the Northern region of Ghana in chains wandering around, then informed the Mental Health Advocacy Foundation who went to her aid.

Munira had been in shackles for many years according to her family due to her aggressive nature and also to restrain her from attacking members of the community. 

The team from Mental Health Advocacy Foundation led by Mr. Stephen Asante visited Munira to assess her situation and offer whatever support needed.  Mental Health Advocacy Foundation upon assessment gave her initial interventions, even though the team suspect she might be suffering from schizophrenia, it is waiting on further medical examination from the Tamale Teaching Hospital

Schizophrenia is a disorder that affects a person's ability to think, feel and behave clearly. The exact cause of schizophrenia is not known, but a combination of genetics, environment and altered brain chemistry and structure may play a role. Schizophrenia is characterised by thoughts or experiences that seem out of touch with reality, disorganised speech or behaviour and decreased participation in daily activities. Difficulty with concentration and memory may also be present.

Treatment is usually lifelong and often involves a combination of medications, psychotherapy and coordinated speciality care services.

 

Breaking the Chains - Adom's story

MHAF is very passionate about the well being and welfare of persons with mental health issues. Adom is doing well but here is a teaser of our journey with Adom. Full documentary coming soon.

Breaking the shackles: Rescuing "Adom"

The Executive Director of Mental Health Advocacy Foundation MHAF has called for a concerted effort in dealing with mental health issues in the country. Mr. Stephen Asante made this call when his foundation with support from the Nkoranza Mental Health Unit took charge of the full cost of treatment of a mental health patient.

Adom (not her real name), a 17-year-old girl was first seen 2018 roaming some streets of Nkoranza begging for food. The first-year junior high school student dropped out of school when she started experiencing some signs and symptoms of mental illness. Adom’s family are not able to support her since her mother is also vagrant and father, late.

With the help of the then Municipal Director of health Services, Dr. Damien Punguyire and other Individuals and groups drugs and assorted items were purchased for Adom’s treatment in 2019 but the process stalled.  Adom’s deteriorating mental health necessitated MHAF to get her taken to the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital at Cape-Coast for treatment since both families of client seem not to be interested in her health.

MHAF sole aim is to assist Adom in any way possible to ensure she recovers and reintegrated back to society.

BREAKING THE SHACKLES Diaries

Stigma towards individuals diagnosed with mental illness is common in many Ghanaian communities. Social isolation or loneliness has been identified as one of the causes of mental health but many persons going through mental health challenges are social outcast and live very lonely life with little or no support from family and friends.  

Research shows that one of the main roots of stigmatisation is the belief that mental illnesses are caused by supernatural forces. Due to such stigma on the family by the society, some people abandon their mentally ill relatives, either locking them away in their homes or leaving them in spiritual camps. 

BREAKING THE SHACKLES (Part 1).

In Ghana, mental disorders are often attributed to supernatural or spiritual causes thereby the limited mental health resources especially in the northern region and community-based services.

Our quest to change the narrative about mental health care in Ghana took us to a farming community in the Gushegu District in the Northern region of Ghana.

The young man (name withheld) who is in his late 20’s returned from Accra after travelling there to seek for a better life. The family said due to his aggressive behaviour, they were compelled to put him in shackles for a year now to restrain him. The team did an assessment on the patient and started a treatment.