The Mental Health Authority (MHA) has reiterated that suicide is preventable and called on Ghanaians to seek timely help, as it partners with the Heart for Disabled Foundation (HEDF) to launch an ambitious 16-region mental health awareness tour aimed at redefining mental health discourse through music.
The launch, held on September 13, 2025, at Madina Redco, brought together mental health professionals, traditional leaders and civil society groups under the theme “Redefining Mental Health Discourse Through Music.”
Head of Research at the MHA, Samuel Cujoe Hanu, said the Authority was proud to partner with HEDF because the initiative would reach even the most rural parts of Ghana.
He stressed that while the Authority may be constrained financially, its support will come in the form of professional collaboration, linking the Foundation with mental health nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists across the country.
“We at the Authority cannot do it all alone. With organisations like Heart for Disabled Foundation, we can reach more people and change the narrative about mental health conditions,” he said.
Hanu also shared worrying statistics from January to June 2025, including 2,901 alcohol use cases, 2,758 psychoactive substance use cases and 475 attempted suicide cases, with 41 suicide deaths reported nationwide.
“These figures show that we are losing citizens to preventable mental health challenges. Suicide is preventable, and treatment is available. If you are struggling, please call our helpline 0800-678-678. You are not alone,” he urged.
Founder of HEDF, Elder Benjamin Osei Adu, explained that the tour will use gospel music to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
The Foundation will engage traditional leaders, secondary schools and local musicians in each region, while also organising fundraising events to support mentally challenged persons with food, medicine and rehabilitation needs.
“When the mental being of a person is broken, everything else falls apart. Through this tour, we want to educate and support people so that stigma against mental health can be reduced,” Elder Adu said.
The launch was chaired by Prof J.B. Asare with participation from Prof Akwasi Osei and other stakeholders.
