Prof Angie on everything you need to know about mental health

Mental health disorders refer to a wide range of mental health conditions such as disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behaviour.

Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviours.

There is no doubt that Ghana is dealing with mental health issues. Individuals and organisations are working together to enhance mental health services in the country.

On Asaase Radio‘s ‘Beautiful Minds‘ show on Monday (23 May), mental health experts answered questions from listeners about their psychological well-being.

QUESTION: What are some healthy ways to deal with stress?

Experts say one of the challenges for many young people is accepting help. Some of the healthy ways to deal with stress is by talking to someone you trust and build a network of support or having a mentor to guide you during stress period. Find avenues that are healthy for you to unwind like reading, listening to music, going for prayer walks and managing your time so you don’t commit yourself to too much.

QUESTION: Is it advisable to take medications for depression?

When people are depressed they have a reduced amount of a neurochemical called serotonin and so these medications will make sure you have considerable amount of serotonin to lift up your mood. Experts advise the combination of medication and psychotherapy, because the medication will help reduce the symptoms that one may be experiencing physically, but if your concerns are still there, you may still be having issues even though you may be on medications. Experts advise a combination of medication and therapy.

QUESTION: How do I deal with mental health discrimination and social stigma?

Seeing a psychiatric does not mean you are ‘mad’. Persons with mental health conditions are some of the most vulnerable people in society as they are often subjected to discrimination, social isolation and exclusion, human rights violations as well as demeaning stigma. Stigmatisation and discrimination experienced by people suffering from mental ill-health do not only affect their physical and mental wellbeing, but retards their educational opportunities, incomes, job prospects, and affects their families and loved ones. This inequality needs should be addressed swiftly so that persons with mental health problems would be clothed with dignity, and integrated into society and given equal opportunities to develop.

QUESTION: How much does it cost to see a psychiatrist?

Experts explain that prices vary depending on the institution because we have public and private facilities. Prices range from as low as GHC20 at Pantang Hospital and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for your first consultation is GHC110. But it gets more expensive when you utilise the private hospital, the standard rate is above GHC500 per session. It even gets higher when you choose more customised services like home visit which costs almost GHC2000.

QUESTION: Is sleep paralysis spiritual?

Sleeping on your back is one of the triggers for sleep paralysis. There are two main stages of sleep. First is non rapid eye movement sleep and the other one is rapid eye movement sleep. Dreaming occurs in rapid eye movement sleep, we get sleep paralysis during rapid eye movement sleep so we don’t act out our dreams whilst we are fast asleep. In every 90 mins of sleep you go through one cycle of sleep. Research says sleep paralysis is nothing to worry about because it is a natural part of sleeping.

QUESTION: Can Yoga and meditation help relive mental health issues?

Yoga has been found useful in specific mental issues when you struggle with lack of focus, lack of concentration and with anxiety skills. It is advised that Yoga and meditation are activities you should do to become mindful and block out excess stress like exams, dealing with kids and partners.

QUESTION: How to maintain a balanced mental health when you have financial challenges?

Financial challenge is a daily hustle for everybody and you can maintain a positive state of mental health at the same time. The mind is what makes the man, managing your problems creates a balanced life, if you are unable to manage your finances you create an avenue to accumulate more problems, if not you will end up making an already bad situation worst. Motivations every now and then are good as we try to navigate our way through life.

QUESTION: When do you know you are mentally fit?

Mental health is not mental illness. Mental illness is when you fall below the normal scope and you notice it in the way you think. When you begin to hear voices, start hallucinating, when you start being incoherent, experiencing unnecessary fear, start feeling hopeless and worthless (suicidal) or start believing in things that don’t exist you are not mentally fit.

QUESTION: Does therapy resolve mental health issues?

Experts say therapy works. It is important to check in every now and then as a booster session. The person involved should be willing to make a change in their life and you should be able to trust your therapist to help restore your mental health, building that trust is important.

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