Professor Joseph Osafo, a renowned psychologist and suicidologist, has called on the government to leverage digitization to address mental health issues in Ghana.
Speaking on ABC IN THE MORNING on Friday, October 11, Prof. Osafo highlighted the lack of adequate mental health data and emphasized the need for immediate action.
“We don’t have good data in this part of the country, but it’s about time we do our best,” he stated, adding that the current government’s digital drive presents an opportunity to make significant strides.
Prof. Osafo underscored the potential of digital platforms to revolutionize mental health services. “We already have the basic platform on which we can build the digital infrastructure,” he noted.
He explained that these platforms could facilitate surveys, consultations, and even professional referrals, offering a discreet way for individuals to seek help without the fear of being stigmatized.
“People also fear… the stigma in this part of the world towards mental health,” Prof. Osafo said, noting that many avoid seeking care at psychiatric hospitals to escape judgment.
With yesterday marking World Mental Health Day under the theme “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,” Prof. Osafo stressed the importance of bringing mental health services closer to employees, right at their workplaces.
“What needs to happen is to bring the services to the doorstep of the employee,” he urged, highlighting how this approach could ease the burden of mental health challenges on Ghana’s economy while fostering a supportive, stigma-free environment for workers.
