A mental health practitioner and founder of the Willing ways foundation Ghana; Madam Lydia Abena Manu has asked government to create a mental health fund for mental patients and drug addicts.
She believes such a fund will help cater for them and avert serious consequences in the near future.
Madam Abena Manu made this statement during a health walk and drug addiction education at Offinso in the Ashanti region to sensitize residents and students in the Offinso South Municipality.
The event which was held by the willing ways foundation together with New Hope wellness rehabilitation center at Asonomaso witnessed huge number of residents, students, traditional rulers and opinion leaders in the area. Some celebrities like Kumawood actors Kwaku Manu and Salinko also graced the occasion with an outstanding performance by hip life oldie Jerry Anaba popularly known as Okomfour Kwaadee as they all spoke against drug addiction and advised students and youth to stay away from it.
Addressing the huge crowd at the event , Madam Lydia emphasized the need for government to create a fund for mental health care as she believes mental patients are being ignored and rejected by the society which is not in the right direction. She says the society turning their backs on mental patients and drug addicts eventually brings a burden back to us.
“If we don’t get a fund for these people and continue rejecting them,they will come back to us with weapons to take away our hard earned property therefore we must all join hands to solve this challenge to make our neighborhoods safe”, she added.
The psychiatrist lamented a general lack of knowledge regarding mental health issues and bemoaned the treatment meted out to mental health patients.
