About 1,300 cases of mental health disorders have been recorded within the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) each year since 2021.
The statistics show alcohol use as the highest among the disorders, with 70 per cent of the cases being male officers. The data is from a post-COVID-19 statistics recorded from 2021 to last year.
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, who gave out the statistics, has consequently directed the Department of Medical Services of the GAF to embark on a vigorous drive to reduce mental health cases within the forces.
“In the Ghana Armed Forces, mental health cases have risen since 2017, and by the close of 2019, a total of 614 cases were recorded for both males and females.
However, post COVID-19 statistics have shown a marked increase with a total average of about 1,300 cases each year from 2021 to 2023, about 70 per cent being males,” Maj. Gen. Oppong-Peprah said.
“The most worrying indication is that, alcohol use disorder is at the top of the list,” the CDS added while addressing a conference to climax the maiden edition of the GAF Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week in Accra yesterday.
The conference was held on the theme: “Promoting the Mental Health of Men in a Gender Sensitive Armed Forces”.
Maj. Gen. Oppong-Peprah said mental health was a subject that was hardly discussed within the army even though it remained one of the most devastating conditions of the human race.
Global statistics
A senior clinical health psychologist at the Therapy and Wellness Department of the 37 Military Hospital, Anita Paddy, said globally, one out of every four persons had some form of mental health issue or suffered from a mental condition at a particular point in time.
She said statistics indicated that 450 million people were living with some form of mental health conditions, and only one-third of that number would seek help.
Ms Paddy said the ability to cope with adverse life events, functionality in roles, interpersonal relationships and having a sound mind in a sound body were the key components of mental health.
In order to have a sound mind, Ms Paddy urged the personnel to live a healthy lifestyle by adopting good eating habits and having enough rest.
She also identified hobbies and funfair activities as very necessary in maintaining a proper mental health.
Ms Paddy also urged the personnel to discuss their feelings with their colleagues or seek professional advice on matters before taking an action which might end up harming them.
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