It's okay not to be okay but seek professional help - Mental health advocate

A mental health advocate, Esenam Drah has called for more education on mental health conditions to reduce the stigmatisation associated with them.

According to her, many people have suicidal thoughts yet are oblivious that it is usually a symptom of some psychological condition.

She believes sensitisation about mental health will enlighten the public to identify the conditions in their early stages, thus leading to prompt medical intervention.

“When you continue the education and awareness on suicide it becomes normalised.

By normalising such conversations, people will actually see that it’s okay not to be okay.

Recounting how she lived without being aware of her mental condition for years until she was diagnosed, she explained that there were countless people experiencing mental breakdowns yet assumed it was normal, because the Ghanaian setting does not embrace issues regarding mental health.

“It’s also very alarming to know that there are a lot of people walking around who have actually had suicide attempts, they have actually gone through with their suicide attempt.

They don’t talk about it so people think, oh I am the only one who is going through with it.

“I will be very happy if those who have experience with suicidal attempt, would come out and share their stories,” she said on Wednesday.

On March 28, Parliament amended sections of the Criminal Offenses Act of 1960, which makes attempting to take one’s own life a crime.

Parliament decriminalises attempted suicide

Following the amendment, persons who attempt suicide will be considered as having mental health issues requiring assistance by law rather than imprisonment.

However, the mental health advocate believes there is a need for collective efforts to end attempted suicides.

Touching on efforts needed to end suicides she said, “it’s going to take time and a lot of effort on everybody’s part.

We cannot say that we are leaving it alone for those who wanted this- like people in the mental health community.

“Everybody is involved, everyone is an investor, whether you are a family member, a friend to someone.

Everyone needs to take action on their part,” she said.

She continued that it was time for Ghanaians to have open minds and hearts to these conditions and be supportive of everyone who has suicidal ideas

 “We have a suicide hotline where anybody can call if their family member is going through something.

“Don’t wait to the last minute and don’t brush it off when someone expresses their suicide ideas,” she added.

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Tags:   Mental Health Parliament