Trust Jesus Foundation Calls for Mental Health Tax to Support Patients

Sunyani: The Trust Jesus Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with mental health conditions, has called for the establishment of a mental health tax. This tax aims to generate funds necessary for supporting mental health institutions and ensuring adequate care for individuals suffering from mental illnesses across the nation. According to Ghana News Agency, the foundation made this proposal in a statement signed by Ms. Mary Wormenor, the President, during its fifth anniversary celebration. The statement emphasized the heavy financial burdens that mental health care places on both families and the government, advocating for a collective effort to sustain the operation of mental health facilities. 'Due to the huge burden on most mental health institutions, there is the need for the government to constitute a mental health tax that would bring in resources into a designated fund to assist the nation's mental healthcare delivery,' the foundation stated. The foundation also highlighted the current challenges faced by mental health institutions in providing adequate and quality services due to a lack of sufficient funding. It stressed the importance of public involvement in supporting the government's efforts to manage mental health care effectively. Additionally, the statement used the occasion to raise public awareness about the importance of maintaining mental health to prevent the deterioration of one's life quality. The statement further cited alarming statistics from the Mental Health Authority, noting that 81 people had committed suicide in the first quarter of 2024, with around five hundred attempts recorded in the same period in Ghana. These figures underscore the urgent need for enhanced public awareness and intervention to prevent mental health crises. Also included in the statement were comments from Dr. Yennusom Maalug, the Executive Director of the Mental Health Institute, who provided advice on maintaining mental well-being. Dr. Maalug emphasized the benefit s of exercise, proper rest, and maintaining positive social relationships as preventive measures against mental health disorders. He cautioned against the use of substances as coping mechanisms, which can lead to further health complications. As part of its anniversary, the Trust Jesus Foundation organized a procession through some principal streets of Accra to further highlight the significance of mental health issues and to encourage community engagement in mental health advocacy.