Mental well-being is a growing public health concern that demands immediate and decisive action. Chances are that you or someone you love has dealt with or is dealing with one mental health condition or another, be it stress, depression, or mood disorders, among a longer list.

Across the globe, mental health is fast emerging as the leading public health issue, and Ghana is no different, yet we rarely normalise the topic, leaving many suffering silently and alone. Despite the taboo that exists, 13% of Ghanaians live with mental health disorders.

On social media most especially, people are expressing they need help, showing in various ways that they are struggling with the demands of life and the stressors that come along with it. Bel Aqua believes the time to act is now. 

October 10, happens to be World Mental Health Day and Bel Aqua has decided to take advantage of that to bring attention to the need to address our mental health throughout the month of October. Bel Aqua looks forward to teaching people ways – big and small – they can safeguard their mental health and take care of themselves and each other.

Ghana’s water of choice, Bel Aqua, is a company that truly cares and the Bel Aqua Foundation has embarked on several CSR projects in education and health that have brought relief to many. For the next three years, Bel Aqua is dedicated to a mental health campaign that challenges the stigma around taking better care of our mental wellbeing, by taking a break and allowing ourselves some rest to better manage our health. And it all starts this October. 

What complicates the issue of mental health, especially in our part of the world, is the stigma associated with it, making it difficult for people to admit they are experiencing challenges and ask for help in time, before their condition becomes debilitating. Over 2.4 million Ghanaians live with mental disorders and they deserve respite and care, as well as the tools to combat their negative and intrusive thoughts.

Also, the fact that seeking therapy is foreign to a majority of Ghanaians adds another dimension of complexity. The truth is with the right preventative measures and coping mechanisms a lot of mental health issues are manageable, some even treatable.

These are the pillars of the Bel Aqua intervention:

• Fight the stigma associated with mental health so people can speak up and seek help when need be.

• Teach people the strategies they can use, big and small, to safeguard their mental health.

Dubbed “Take A Break” the 3-year intervention kicks off in October 2023 with different activities that bring attention to mental health including a mental health awareness walk and talk in partnership with Korle-bu, donations, educative interviews on radio and TV, conversations and content online, impactful collaborations with practitioners, resourcing mental health centres and other stakeholders and so much more.

The month will climax with the Healing Together Vigil at Alliance on Friday, 27^th October 2023. 

Curated to serve as a convention of mental health practitioners and advocates, influencers, media personalities, members of the diplomatic community, opinion shapers and leaders and many more, the Vigil will start with a mental health talk that is intended to create a 10-point actionable Mental Health Manifesto.

That will be followed by performances from some of Ghana’s most creative alternative music acts - all mental health advocates – poetry, dance drama and comedy. There will also be group and individual therapy sessions delivered by effective and experienced therapists and practitioners. 

Mr Magnus Dey - Head of Marketing, Blow Group, had this to say, “We realise that the health of the human brain is vital to living, performance and functionality. We are also aware of the role that the stigma associated with mental health plays in people not seeking help till it is too late. As a company we believe it is our responsibility to help change once and for all, how Ghana deals with mental health as a public health concern.”

Bel Aqua implores all to make the change the citizens deserve, to challenge the silencing and taboo, and to allow for more open dialogue around our emotions and mental wellbeing. We are open to all who might be interested in collaborating on this project, so together we change the narrative on mental health provide real sustainable relief for anyone experiencing mental health challenges and shape solutions to cultivate mental well-being.