Accra, May 14, GNA - Ghana would from June 25 to 28 host the International Conference of African Association of Psychiatrists and Allied Professional (AAPAP) in Accra to promote mental health in Africa. About 600 professionals working in mental health globally are to attend the conference, which is also aimed at addressing issues on human rights abuse of mentally ill patients and the proliferation of traditional and faith based healers.

Dr Sammy Ohene, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, who announced this at the launch of the conference said the conference which would be under the theme: "Mental Health and Social Change" would also influence policy changes and encourage the integration of mental health practice in general health practice.

He pointed out that as society underwent changes, individuals became more susceptible to pressure, resulting in depression and associated mental disorder, hence the need to make mental health a priority to all.

Dr Ohene said depression accounted for five out of top 10 causes of mental health disabilities and expressed concern about public perception on mental illness, linking it to spiritual causes.

"Mental illness is not only that person on the street behaving in a child like manner, but persons with fear to talk in public, those deviants without remorse, chronic alcoholics and drug addicts are all having disorders," he added.

Dr Ohene further appealed to all individuals interested in mental health to attend the conference to promote mental health by registering on www.aapap2008.org.

Dr Joaquim Saweka, World Health Organisation Representative, said social changes and its associated psychological impacts had strained health system in developing countries, especially in Africa.

He said there was therefore the need to strengthen health systems to manage the threat and improve human resource in the discipline. Dr Samuel Ofosu-Amaah, President of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, expressed worry that although mental illness was one of the greatest disease burdens in the country, it was the least financed.