Johnson & Johnson Middle East FZ-LLC in Ghana has partnered with the University of Ghana to enhance accessibility to mental health services for individuals affiliated with the institution.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed during a ceremony held in at the New Council Chamber, University of Ghana, representing a significant step forward in tackling mental health challenges faced by the youth.
Currently, Ghana is grappling with substantial difficulties in tackling mental health issues, such as a considerable therapy gap, scarce resources, and social stigmatization.
The overwhelming majority of people in Ghana who have mental health issues do not get treated, with estimates indicating a treatment gap exceeding 98%.
Approximately 21% of Ghanaian adults endure moderate to significant mental anguish at any given moment.
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Mental well-being is crucial for building strong communities, which necessitates a cooperative effort to address obstacles in accessing support and guarantee equal opportunities for everyone,” stated Emmanuel Antwi, Country Manager at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicines in Ghana. “Johnson & Johnson has dedicated more than 60 years to improving the quality of life for those living with mental illnesses. Through our collaboration with the University of Ghana, we demonstrate our unwavering commitment to advancing mental health initiatives within the country. Jointly, we strive to develop comprehensive, stigmatized-free treatment approaches and enhance the ability to deliver vital mental healthcare resources and services.
As per the Memorandum of Understanding, this partnership aims to utilize the combined expertise of both entities to support the Resilient Minds Future Leaders Program. This initiative seeks to enhance understanding and diminish the shame often linked with mental health conditions.
This initiative aims to strengthen the capabilities of crucial university personnel who play pivotal roles in ensuring the broader mental wellness within their communities. By fostering an inclusive comprehension of mental health via proactive strategies and timely support mechanisms—especially as they pertain to conditions like schizophrenia—the project seeks to improve both individual health outcomes and collective living standards across campus.
Furthermore, the Program will incorporate capacity-building efforts, offering disease awareness training for personnel who deliver mental health services.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, emphasized the crucial importance of mental well-being and its potential impact on all individuals.
She advocated for an ongoing Mental Health Awareness initiative that engages the whole university community across all seasons.
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PubMed Central. Legislation Regarding Mental Health in Ghana. Available here.
:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5618813/#r1
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