Mental health conditions such as anxiety and mood-related disorders increased dramatically during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to an Adolescent Psychiatrist of the Psychiatry Department at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Dr. Pearl Adu Nyarko, COVID-19 had a detrimental effect on people's mental health, particularly in children whose language development was hampered by their frequent use of nose masks.
“Because of COVID-19, the instances of mental health conditions have gone up. For instance, anxiety and mood related disorders have gone up in children and adults. We notice a significant contribution of COVID-19 to language development because we were wearing face masks,” revealed the Psychiatrist.
The KATH Psychiatry department has in the past one year recorded an increase in the mental health cases. Close to 1,500 mental health cases were recorded at the hospital, with male children forming the majority of the numbers.
Frequent cases include Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), followed by Autism Spectrum Disorder, Epilepsy and other mood disorders.
Dr. Adu Nyarko prevailed on the government to institute conducive measures for the healthy mental status of the population.
“Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders are with us. We need as a country to wake up and look at our educational policies, sustainable development goals, alleviation of poverty and access to information, encouraging positive parenting and learning environment that would enable the brain of Ghanaian to develop so we can get most of our population,” she emphasized.
Dr. Adu Nyarko observed an increase in the number of reported cases due to more awareness created on mental health by the Psychiatric Association of Ghana.
“Because of the advocacy we are seeing more people coming,” she said.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Society of Ghana (CAMHSOG) has been collaborating with the PAG to bring together professionals and other players who offer mental healthcare to children and teenagers.
Latest Stories
-
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Sundowns, Esperance join Al Ahly and Wydad as CAF representatives
3 hours -
CAFCL: Al Ahly set up historic final with ES Tunis
4 hours -
We didn’t sneak out 10 BVDs; they were auctioned as obsolete equipment – EC
8 hours -
King Charles to resume public duties after progress in cancer treatment
8 hours -
Arda Guler scores on first start in La Liga as Madrid beat Real Sociedad
8 hours -
Fatawu Issahaku’s Leicester City secures Premier League promotion after Leeds defeat
8 hours -
Anticipation builds as Junior Speller hosts nationwide auditions
9 hours -
Etse Sikanku: The driver’s mate conundrum
10 hours -
IMF Deputy Chief worried large chunk of Eurobonds is used to service debt
10 hours -
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II celebrates 25 years of peaceful rule on golden stool
10 hours -
We have enough funds to pay accruing benefits; we’ve never missed pension payments since 1991 – SSNIT
10 hours -
Let’s embrace shared vision and propel National Banking College – First Deputy Governor
11 hours -
Liverpool agree compensation deal with Feyenoord for Slot
11 hours -
Ejisu by-election: There’s no evidence of NPP engaging in vote-buying – Ahiagbah
11 hours -
Ejisu by-election: Independent ex-NPP MP’s campaign team warns party against dubious tactics
11 hours