Pinaman Appau Launches ‘Purple Month’ Campaign as MHA Declares May Mental Health Awareness Month in Ghana

The Mental Health Authority has declared May as Mental Health Awareness Month to create awareness and also mitigate the stigmatisation associated with the situation in the country.

Dubbed the “Purple Month,” the initiative is to amplify and sustain a collective voice to advocate mental wellness across the country. This would align Ghana with other nations such as the US and the UK, which have similarly designated May as a month dedicated to mental health awareness creation.

It also underscores the country’s historical observance of World Mental Health Day on October 10, initially established in 1992, by the World Federation for Mental Health. The initiative was launched in Accra on the theme: “Movement: Moving more for our mental health,” emphasising the link between physical activity and mental well-being.

It was in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and Lady Julia Osei Tutu, who is the Life Patron of EVE International.
Activities lined up for the month include maternal mental health awareness, school engagement on mental health and well-being, community outreach in five districts in the Eastern Region, collaboration with organisations on workplace mental health education and a health walk.

The Board Chairperson of the Mental Health Authority, Estelle Appiah, said many studies had emphasised the transformative effect of regular physical activity on the mood, stress levels and structure of the brain, adding that “it also serves as a natural, yet potent antidote to depression, anxiety and stress”.

She said although the enactment of the Mental Health Act, 2012 (Act 846), which led to the establishment of the Mental Health Authority reflected the government and stakeholders’ commitment to prioritise mental well-being, the authority was challenged by the lack of sustainable financing for promotion and insufficient human resource.

“We must invest in inclusive programmes, policies and legislation. Currently, the board is engaged in post-legislative scrutiny of the Mental Health Act to ensure its responsiveness to mental health challenges in the county,10 years post-enactment.

“Let’s create a wave of movement that propel us towards a future where mental well-being is not only a possibility, but a reality for all,”

Cue… appau CEO