Participants at the the stakeholder engagement meeting
A medical practitioner has urged citizens to prioritise regular mental health check-ups to enable early detection and management of conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Dr Ralph Armah, Medical Director of the Tema General Hospital, said routine mental health assessments were essential in preventing conditions from worsening and in promoting overall emotional well-being.
He made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) following a stakeholder engagement organised by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA).
The interview followed the fatal Skyarrow microlight aircraft crash at Oninku Drive School Park at Site 18 in Tema Community One.
Dr Armah explained that mental health conditions often developed gradually, with subtle signs that were easily overlooked.
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According to him, many conditions, including depression and anxiety, were more treatable when detected early, noting that timely intervention could prevent mild symptoms from escalating into severe cases requiring intensive care or hospitalisation.
He said poor mental health was also closely linked to physical health conditions such as chronic pain, adding that managing mental wellness could improve overall health outcomes and longevity.
Dr Armah noted that many hospitals now had dedicated mental health units, which helped to normalise care and reduce stigma associated with seeking support.
“Regular check-ups allow professionals to tailor treatment plans to an individual’s needs and monitor the effectiveness of ongoing care,” he said.
Dr Armah encouraged individuals to adopt self-monitoring practices such as journaling to identify behavioural changes, including persistent sadness, anxiety, and changes in sleep or appetite.