The WHO Country Director, Dr. Owen Kaluwa stated that depression is the third leading cause of mental illness and disability among adolescents globally. He said his organization has developed tools to support parents, caregivers and teachers to build life skills of children and adolescents to help them cope with everyday challenges.
The Hospital Director, Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Pinamang Appau said there is a need for government to invest heavily into the mental health sector.
She called on government to ensure that the mental health fund is effective and called for its inclusion in the National health insurance scheme. The week long celebration is to promote the social and emotional well-being of the youth and educate the citizenry about mental illness.
