BasicNeeds-Ghana, a mental health advocacy organisation, has held a day’s forum for representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Tamale to sensitise them on the need to integrate mental health issues into their mainstream activities.

CSOs represented at the forum included NORSAAC, Integrated Development Centre (IDC), Centre for Active Learning and Interdisciplinary Development, and NOYED-Ghana.

The forum dubbed: “Integrating the Mental Health of Children, Youth, Women and Gender-based Rights into ongoing Activities of CSOs”, formed part of the “Strengthening Community Mental Health Services to improve Gender, Youth and Women Mental Health in Ghana” project being implemented by BasicNeeds-Ghana.

It was to amongst others increase awareness on mental health issues to ensure increased care and support for mental health patients in the country.

Mr Adam Dokurugu Yahaya, Programmes Manager of BasicNeeds-Ghana, who made a presentation, said attention to mental health is low in the country hence the need for CSOs to integrate it into their activities to ensure increased awareness and support for patients.

Mr Dokurugu Yahaya said BsicNeeds-Ghana had formed school-based clubs to promote mental health issues amongst students as well as training community health nurses and community psychiatric nurses on mental health as part of efforts to ensure increased awareness on mental health and epilepsy.

He said BasicNeeds-Ghana is empowering people with mental disorders to live and work happily in their communities.

He said human beings are candidates of mental health urging all to work to support mental health patients in the country.

Mr Mahama Adamu, Finance Officer of IDC expressed the need for CSOs to make mental health issues part of their activities and educate communities where they undertake their projects to understand the issues.