The Psychiatric Departments at the Tema General Hospital and Manhean Clinic have recorded a significant increase in the number of new registrants (first-time visit) at the facility in 2020.

The two facilities registered a total of 389 new registrants in 2020 compared with 185 old registrants.

The Coordinator for Tema Metro Community Psychiatry, Pious Tay, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview on Monday.

According to him, the increase in new registrants was an indication that the public appreciated the fact that a visit to the psychiatric department did not mean “one was mad as they handled other illnesses.”

He said the unit for the past two to three years had intensified its education and sensitization of the public on mental issues, which he said was yielding the needed result.

Mr Tay urged persons with any mental related issues to visit the hospital for the needed care even when receiving alternative treatment, including spiritual ones.

Meanwhile, data from the units showed that a total of 1,992 revisits and reviews were seen at the respective facilities.

While 168 persons of the registrants reported either schizophrenia, or schizotypal and delusional disorders, 58 had depression, 29 bipolar disorders, 73 epilepsy/seizures and 25 dementia.

Others were four delirium, 16 mental disorders due to alcohol abuse, six autism, 55 mental disorders due to psychoactive substance use and seven personality disorders.

Eleven pregnancy-related mental disorders were recorded in the Metropolis while 20 anxiety disorders, 81 non-specified mental disorders, and nine mental retardation, developmental and other childhood mental disorders were cared for.

Mr Tay said in 2020 psychiatric officials visited 347 home, organised 376 health talks, 31 visits to faith-based healing centres, and 22 school health programmes, among others.

He called on authorities and organizations to help address some of the challenges facing the units, including the lack of vehicles and funds for transportation during various community activities.