A Study of Stigma, Discrimination and Reintegration of Mentally Ill Persons in Ghana.

Abstract

Mental health is the foundation of human capability that makes each life worthwhile and meaningful. There has been great progress in mental healthcare in Ghana over the years but too many people are still left behind from reintegration into society after recovery due to discrimination and stigma. In order to harness the full potential of the human resource, there is the need to reintegrate all treated mental health persons. It is for this reason that the Christian Health Association of Ghana which operates over 280 healthcare institutions in Ghana is seeking to deconstruct the way mental healthcare is delivered. The programme seeks to shift from institutional care to community-based care involving interventions by health professionals, peers and key members of the community. The purpose of this study was to gauge knowledge and attitude to stigma, discrimination, and community-based mental healthcare. The country was divided into three zones; coastal, middle and northern. From each zone, an urban and a rural site were selected. Using mixed method approach, qualitative data from caregivers and religious leaders was purposively generated while quantitative data from Junior High School students and nurses was randomly collected. Results showed that age, ethnicity, education, religious affiliation, and occupation were some of the key variables which influence reintegration of treated mentally ill persons. The study concludes that stigma and discrimination against the mentally treated person is a complex issue which needs multifaceted and multi-disciplinary approach including community and home care to solving it.