The Upper West Regional Mental Health Coordinator Mr Sylvester Basagnia says depression is one mental health condition that is easily ignored at hospitals because its symptoms are similar to that of malaria. Mr Basagnia said this when he was interacting with students of the SD Dombo University at a Mental Health Forum organized by the Welfare Commission of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC).

Mr. Basagnia noted that given the signs, people tend to treat for malaria until the condition gets to the psychotic stage when they now realized it is mental ill-health condition.

He therefor advised the general public to frequent the mental health facilities near them for regular checks to avert possible mental health conditions that are curable or preventable.

Commenting on the repeal of the law criminalizing attempted suicide, Mr Basagnia said it was a great step at supporting people who may be in some distressed situations with suicidal thoughts to come out of those situations.

The Upper West Regional Director of the Department of Gender Madam Charity Batuure at the event said the issue of mental health has a strong relationship with sexual and gender-based violence as the later often leads to the former.

Chairperson of the SRC Welfare Committee, Miss Faustina said the forum was necessary to sensitize students to be wary of mental health issues as they go about their academic activities coupled with the tendencies to indulge in substance abuse as well as opposite sex relationships.

Source: Info Radio