Mr David Naboare, President of Ghana National Association of Community Mental Health Officers (GNACMHO) on Monday said about 20 percent of the Ghanaian population have various forms of mental illnesses.
He also said one out of every five pregnant women was likely to suffer from mental illness during or after delivery.
Mr Naboare disclosed this in his Maternal Mental Health Day message.
The theme for this year's celebration, which is celebrated on May 5, every year is "let's invest, call to action for investment and equity in maternal mental health care in Ghana."
Mr Naboare, who is also the CEO of David Naboare Foundation, called on Mental Health professionals and mental health advocates to tackle these issues and help create awareness in the country.
He also appealed to them to include maternal mental health education during the ante and postnatal clinics.
Mr Naboare said assessment for signs and symptoms of mental health problems should be conducted at those sessions to identify pregnant women and nursing mothers with mental health problems.
He said HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and sexually transmitted infections among others during pregnancy could have mental effects on pregnant women.
The President of GNACMHO said pregnant women needed financial capacity and mental health stability to be able to go through nine months of pregnancy and mothering.
He appealed to Midwives and Community Health Nurses at various levels to always educate pregnant women on the need to engage in mental health activities.
Mr Naboare mentioned some of the activities as attending ante and postnatal clinics, accepting the gender of newborn babies, good nutrition, reporting any danger signs during pregnancy, and avoiding taking alcohol or any substance that was likely to harm the unborn baby.
He appealed to individuals and organizations to invest in maternal mental health as the government alone could not do it.
Samuel Atidzah, Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, a Health NGO in the Adaklu district said as everybody was at risk of a mental problem more publicity and education is needed.
He said it was necessary for one to regularly check his or her mental health status.
Latest Stories
-
Unfortunate ‘dumsor’ era will not return under my presidency – Akufo-Addo to Ghanaians
10 mins -
Medeama’s TnA Stadium nears commissioning after latest update
24 mins -
Fighting Malaria: Volta Region achieves 98% target in treated net distribution
41 mins -
You have a special role in shaping our elections – Akufo-Addo to Ghanaian workers
1 hour -
ECG staff walkout during Ashanti Regional Minister’s speech at May Day event
1 hour -
Seventy percent of SMEs productivity lost to power crises in Central Region
2 hours -
We commend Bawumia for waking others up to come home and develop – Savannah NPP chair
2 hours -
SML-GRA contract – Legal Practitioner counters KPMG findings on parliamentary ratification
2 hours -
Do something about dumsor now – TUC tells Akufo-Addo at May Day event
2 hours -
Viewing Economics from a female lens: Legacy of Ghana’s first female Professor of Econs
2 hours -
Vaccines are safe, get your children immunized against killer diseases – Ghana Health Service
2 hours -
Glovo, five other multinational brands, and why they left Ghana
2 hours -
Narcotics Control Commission seizes 20.5kg of cannabis
2 hours -
One suspect arrested over killing of military officer at Kasoa
2 hours -
Maritime Security Threats: Global collaboration, commitment needed to overcome risks – Akufo-Addo
3 hours