A senior medical officer and the Chief executive officer for Profecy Scientific Herbal Clinic, Dr. Mensah Bonsu has disclosed that about 80% of Ghanaians are living with mental illness (bipolar disorder).
Dr. Mensah called on Stakeholders to institute more effective measures to deal with bipolar disorder and uphold international best practices to help reduce the burden of mental illness in the country.
Citing some Ghanaian celebrities with bipolar disorder for example, Dr. Bonsu said “managing bipolar disorder can be challenging due to its chronicity and relapse during treatment.”
He added that “chances for recurrence over 12 months may be as high as 50% especially if the right treatment is not provided.”
Dr. Bonsu identified inadequate access to quality care, lack of compliance to treatment protocols, society stigma, negative religious interference, and inability to deal with triggers as causes that may increase risk factors initiating the episodes.
Dr Bonsu in a press briefing today recommended a combination of therapies in addressing the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of sufferers.
