Self-care and compassion key to mental wellness- Mental Health Authority

The Chief Executive of the Mental Health Authority, Professor Pinaman Appau, has urged individuals- especially the youth to take steps to care for their mental health, seek knowledge, and extend kindness to themselves and others.

She believes these simple but powerful actions can help people become more whole, resilient, and better prepared to engage meaningfully with the world around them.

This message was delivered on her behalf by Dr. Nana Yaa Adobia Brown, Technical Director at the Authority, during the DCODED Show at the University of Ghana on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

The event was organised under the Resilient Minds Project, a collaboration between the University’s Careers and Counselling Directorate and Johnson & Johnson Ghana.

It was on the theme “Fixing the Pieces: When the Mind Splits”,- highlighting the many struggles people face internally.

The event aimed to open up important conversations about mental health, reduce stigma, and help people understand the need for early help and support.

According to Appau, caring for mental health must be seen as a basic part of everyday life. She added that most people are often pulled in different directions- trying to meet school demands, worrying about family, or managing relationships. These pressures, she said, can make people feel like their lives are broken into pieces.

Also, she highlighted the impact of mental health conditions like schizophrenia, noting that- “this illness causes people to see the world differently and can make them feel like their minds are falling apart. But with care, compassion, and proper treatment, people can find hope and healing.”

She called on everyone to pay attention to signs of stress in themselves and others. “We must learn to notice early signs of burnout, depression, and even conditions like schizophrenia. Awareness helps us know when it is time to seek help or step in to support someone else,” she said.

Furthermore, she underscored a need for compassion- saying that behind every person is a story that others may not see. “If we respond to people with kindness instead of judgment, we give them space to feel safe and heard,” she said.

Moreover, she encouraged students and attendees not to hide their struggles but to speak up and look for help when needed. She described healing as a process that takes all the broken parts of a person and turns them into something strong and beautiful.

She lauded the Resilient Minds Project and thanked Johnson & Johnson Ghana and the University of Ghana for their continued support. She called for more platforms like the DCODED Show to help young people talk openly and honestly about mental health.

Mr. Emmanuel Asante Antwi, Country Manager of Johnson & Johnson Ghana, in an interview with media during the event said- the company had signed a memorandum of understanding with the University to support the Resilient Mind Future Leaders Project.

He explained that the project is focused on two big goals: raising awareness and reducing stigma. He said these two things are the biggest barriers to accessing mental health care in Ghana.

While he agreed that spiritual support has its place, Mr. Antwi stressed that the first step should be speaking to trained mental health professionals who can properly assess the problem. He added that the partnership also aims to train frontline health workers so they can provide better care and guidance when people seek help.

“Our goal is to make sure that when someone walks into a hospital or clinic with a mental health concern, the staff know how to respond and offer the right kind of support,” he said.

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