The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in the Ashanti Region is reporting a sharp rise in mental health cases, with about 15,000 outpatient visits recorded annually, according to hospital officials.
Health workers say schizophrenia and postpartum depression are among the top conditions treated at the facility, which is increasingly under pressure from growing patient numbers.
Doctors say most of the cases involve people aged between 25 and 40, a demographic considered the country’s main economically active workforce, raising concerns about productivity and social stability.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s Purple Month mental health awareness campaign, Acting Head of the Psychiatric Unit, Dr. Ruth Owusu Antwi, said the facility is struggling to cope with rising demand amid infrastructure constraints.
Despite the surge in cases, she said limited space at the unit is contributing to treatment delays and, in some instances, patients leaving before completing care, only to return in more severe conditions.
Dr. Owusu Antwi renewed calls for the completion of an expansion project for the psychiatric unit, which has stalled for nearly five years since construction began.
“The Purple Month is launched to create awareness on mental health and promote preventive measures under the theme: ‘Mental Well-being for All: Turning Awareness into Action,’” she said.
“The theme talking about changing awareness into action is very important for us. We have seen that largely, people are becoming aware of mental health. This year, we are saying that it is not enough to become aware. Put the awareness into action.
“Take your own mental health seriously as a starting point and then look out for your family members and your colleagues. Do not stigmatise against people who are dealing with mental disorders. Help is available,” she said.
Mental health professionals in Ghana have repeatedly warned of rising cases amid limited psychiatric infrastructure and persistent stigma, particularly in urban centres.
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