The Convenor for the maiden of the Mental Health Forum 2025, Madam Jahara Osman has highlighted the need to provide adequate support for caregivers and mental health professionals, who often face burnout and emotional strain in the line of duty.

Madam Osman who spoke as someone who was diagnosed with ADHD threw more light on how it feels to be neglected. She further added that in Ghana and accros Africa, mental health remains one of the most under resourced and misunderstood components of public health. According to the world health organisations (WHO), only 1%of Ghana’s health budget goes toward mental, even though 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives.

The theme for the maiden edition of the Mental Health Forum, “Beyond Stigma – Changing the Mental Health Narrative in Ghana,” reflects a commitment to move past harmful stereotypes and silence surrounding mental health issues, and to build a society that values psychological wellbeing for all.

Ace media personality Nana Aba Anamoah has called for increased investment in mental health promotion, stressing that mental wellbeing should be treated as a fundamental right and not a luxury.

Speaking at the 2025 Mental Health Forum organized by the Premier Rehabilitation Center, Nana Aba emphasized the urgent need to prioritize mental health care and awareness in Ghana. She passionately advocated for an end to discrimination against persons living with mental health conditions and urged stakeholders to take action beyond awareness campaigns.

The Mental Health Forum is a pioneering event aimed at elevating the national conversation around mental wellness. Organized by the Premier Rehabilitation Center, the forum seeks to break the stigma surrounding mental health and bridge the gap between awareness and action. It marks a significant step toward reshaping how mental health is perceived, discussed, and supported in Ghana.

Multiple award-winning broadcaster Nana Aba Anamoah, who addressed the gathering, stressed the importance of treating mental health as an essential part of overall wellbeing and human rights.

Delivering an address on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Authority, Professor Pinaman Appau, a representative from the Authority underscored the importance of integrating mental health education into school curricula. The Authority also called for sustainable funding mechanisms to support mental healthcare services across the country.