The Brong-Ahafo Regional Mental Health Coordinator, Mr. Joseph Yere, has described as deeply troubling the rising prevalence of depression among people in the region.

He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that this had become a huge problem and that the disorder was common with particularly, young women aged between 20 and 35 years.

He did not provide statistics but said many of the patients were known to have a history of attempted suicide.

Mr. Yere identified marital problems and extreme poverty as the main factors fueling the increase in depression cases.

Some of the patients are also alcoholic and addicted to hard drugs.

The Regional Coordinator mentioned loss of weight, regular headache, sleeplessness and aggressiveness as some of the symptoms.

He noted that that mental health cases could be treated if placed on strict medication and encouraged the people to take family members suffering from such disorders to the health facilities for treatment.

They should not be kept in homes and prayer camps, he added.