Mental health, particularly among women, remains a critical but often overlooked issue in Ghana.
As the nation marks International Women’s Day, Dr. Irene Quarshie, a Medical Doctor and Advocate for Women’s Mental Wellness, is calling for urgent reforms in how mental healthcare is approached, especially for women.
“Women have a lot of exposure to instances where their mental health can be affected by so many things,” Dr. Quarshie stated in an interview with ABC News GH.
“A good example is postpartum depression—anywhere from 12 to 20% of women experience it. Yet, we still shroud it in secrecy and discomfort.”
She emphasized the need for open discussions about mental health and better integration into healthcare policies.
“The first thing is to get comfortable talking about it. Right now, many physical health insurance policies and legislations somehow disassociate mental health, and that’s a big no-no,” she stated.
According to Dr. Quarshie, neglecting mental health has economic consequences as well.
“When your mental health is bad, nothing else matters—you’re not showing up to work. The cost of mental unwellness of women in the workplace is huge,” she explained.
She urged companies and policymakers to take intentional steps in ensuring access to mental healthcare, including integrating mental health support into maternity care.
“Support maternity care, inculcating mental health care, as many suffers from port partum depression,” she said.
With Ghana pushing for affirmative action and greater inclusion of women in leadership, ensuring women’s mental well-being is a crucial part of the conversation.
