WHO WE
ARE
A team of change-makers who believe that ensuring good mental health can create a better world for everyone.
Our Mission
Ensuring better Mental health
The Ghana Youth Movement for Mental Health (GYMMH) seeks to bridge the knowledge gap in the country by sensitizing and educating the Ghanaian youth (students) on mental health, the realities of living with these conditions, and the strategies for attaining a sound state of mental health and wellness. We also seek to draw attention to suicide, caused mainly by some mental illnesses. By empowering the youth with knowledge about mental health, we are helping to alleviate the negative stigma associated with mental illnesses and setting them up to be advocates for mental health issues in society. This would also broaden mental health conversations to include unaffected families in society.
Our Vision
A world where everyone is safe mentally
The Ghana Youth Movement for Mental Health envisions a future where a majority of the Ghanaian population is educated on mental health, discussions on mental health are required in schools and workplaces, and all negative sentiments towards mental illnesses are alleviated. The success of this initiative might also encourage the youth to pursue psychiatry and other mental health services professions, which would increase the number of qualified personnel available to provide quality mental health care to the public.
THE NEED
Ghana continues to face a major mental health workforce shortage. The WHO reports only 5.4 mental health workers per 100,000 people, including just 0.2 psychiatrists and 0.4 psychologists per 100,000. At the same time, stigma, limited mental health education, and gaps in access to care continue to prevent many people from receiving timely support.
WHO has also reported that an estimated 2.3 million people in Ghana live with mental health conditions requiring care, while access to treatment remains especially limited in rural areas. WHO | Regional Office for Africa Stigma and limited mental health literacy continue to create additional barriers to care. Ghana’s Mental Health Authority reported in its 2023 annual report that stigma, negative attitudes among health workers, and the need for greater public education and sensitization remain persistent concerns.
Our Impact
Ready to be a Mental Health Advocate? ✨
GYMMH Partners
