Paris: Madam Perfect Titiati, Ho Municipal Director of Health Services, has called on health workers and the public to prioritise mental health and create supportive environments where people feel heard, valued, and cared for. She emphasized the importance of mental health as the foundation of overall well-being, urging health professionals to demonstrate empathy and compassion toward patients instead of focusing solely on medication and laboratory investigations.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Titiati made these remarks during the launch of the Purple Month mental health awareness campaign, organised by the Ho Municipal Health Directorate in collaboration with the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho. The campaign, themed 'Mental Well-Being for All: Turning Awareness into Action,' aimed to raise awareness about mental health and encourage individuals facing psychological challenges to seek support.
Madam Titiati noted that although health workers themselves often experience stressful and traumatic situations, they are still expected to report to work daily to care for others, making mental well-being within the health sector especially important. She advocated for creating a community of empathy, support, and hope, encouraging people to check on each other and make time for self-care.
She further observed that many people visiting health facilities do not necessarily require medication but rather need someone willing to listen and provide emotional support. She urged health professionals not to rush patients through consultations, laboratory tests, and prescriptions without first listening to their concerns and understanding their emotional condition.
In addition, Madam Titiati encouraged residents to speak openly about mental health challenges and seek professional help whenever necessary, highlighting that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. She stressed the importance of self-care, advising both health workers and the public to eat well, exercise regularly, get adequate rest, and make time for relaxation and personal happiness.
Flight Sergeant Bright Azumah, a Mental Health Nurse at the Seven Medical Reception Station (7MRS), emphasized that mental health awareness campaigns must go beyond symbolic activities and be supported with resources, logistics, and stronger institutional commitment. He pointed out existing challenges such as inadequate medication supply, limited logistics, stigma, and low public understanding of mental health conditions.
He noted that research indicated only one out of every ten persons living with mental health conditions accessed hospital care, while the majority sought help from traditional or faith-based healing centres. He stressed that mental health should not be seen as a condition affecting only a few people, and early support and interdisciplinary care are crucial.
Flight Sergeant Azumah commended the leadership of the 66 Artillery Regiment and 7MRS for promoting mental healthcare and supporting soldiers experiencing psychological difficulties. Mr. Theophilus Kwadzo Doh, Head of the Mental Health and Well-Being Department at the Ho Polyclinic, expressed gratitude to participants for supporting the Purple Month float and awareness campaign.
He stated that the event was not merely a parade but a call to action to end stigma, discrimination, and silence surrounding mental health issues. The awareness float began at the premises of the 66 Artillery Regiment and concluded at the Ho Municipal Health Directorate, with participation from personnel of the 66 Artillery Regiment and 7MRS, officials of the Health Directorate, students from health institutions in Ho, and members of the public.