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Mental Health & Well-Being Foundation REPORT ON SUICIDE PREVENTION SKILLS TRAINING GREATER ACCRA, ASHANTI AND VOLTA REGIONS

Background Following recent Youth Suicides in Ghana in early 2017, the Mental Health and Well-being Foundation (MHWF) undertook a number of initiatives, meetings and activities to highlight and address this emerging suicide crisis. This report summarizes the activities of MHWF in the immediate wake of the increased spate of suicide in Ghana and during the month of April 2017 when the President of MHWF travelled to Ghana.

1. Establishment of a Suicide Hotline In consultation with other stakeholders a communique was issued regarding the establishment of a helpline for the general public to reach out to in cases of emotional or psychological distress.

It therefore became necessary to train individuals on helpline intake and triage to equip them with the requisite skills on how to receive and triage the calls.

2. Education and awareness building In conjunction with the Mental Health Authority of Ghana (MHA), MHWF ran a series of Suicide Prevention Intake and Triage Training and Wellness Action Recovery Plan (WRAP) workshops. The workshops formed part of identifying effective solutions and practical ways of dealing with the issue of suicide and suicide prevention skills and were facilitated by: • Mr. Francis Nii Lanteye Acquah – Credentialed Mental Health Nurse, Mental Health First-Aid Instructor, Executive Director Positive Mental Health Program based in Australia and President, Mental Health and Well-being Foundation.

• Mr. Wali Nii Obodai Mutazammil – Mutazammil Harry S Trauman Scholar 1982, Certified Wellness Recovery Action Plan Facilitator, CEO Global Markets, Certified Human Systems Dynamic Professional, Peer Specialist, Leadership Executive and Organizational Coach The 3 one-day workshops were: • Greater Accra 13th April at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons 54 Independence Avenue • Kumasi 18th April at the Accident and Emergency and Disaster Management Room, Komfo-Anokye Teaching Hospital, and • Volta Region 19th April at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) • Topics discussed during the training included: • Suicide Prevention Helpline Intake and Triage • (WRAP) Wellness Recovery Action Plan –A Proven Tool for Prevention of Suicide and other Wellness methodologies.

Over 300 people registered and participated in the training including doctors, psychologist, mental health nurses, occupational therapists and non-medical personnel including a deputy head of an international school.

The interactive workshops included small group discussions and the opportunity for participants to develop their own personal Wellness and Recovery Action Plans.

Meetings The President of the MHWF, Mr. Francis Acquah, attended a number of important meetings and liaison opportunities during his visit to Ghana in April 2017. The following table summarizes the meetings attended and the ensuing discussions.

Tuesday 11/04/17

Office of the Australian High Commissioner •

Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Mr. Andrews Barnes

•

Mr. Frederick Nsatimba, Lecturer Pantang School of Nursing & President of the Australian Scholarships Alumni (beneficiary of Australian Scholarship)

•

Wednesday 12/04/17

Thursday 13/04/17

Brief about the activities of the MHWF

Office of the Chief Justice of Ghana •

Chief Justice of Ghana, The Honorable Georgina Wood

•

State of Mental Health Services in Ghana

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Workshop planning

•

Attempted suicide remaining a criminal offence in Ghana

•

Mr Wali Mutazammil

•

MHWF Ghana Team •

Jackson Seyram Avotri,

•

Patience Agyare,

•

Nana Yaa Kadan,

•

Geraldine Anang,

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Portia Abla Tornu,

•

Bertha Kudeka,

•

Prince Zilevu

•

Daniel Berchie

Ministry of Health •

Minister of Health,

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The Honourable Kwaku Agyeman-Manu

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State of the Mental Health System in Ghana

•

Recent youth suicides

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The lack of funding for mental health without the passage of the Mental Health Act Legislative Instrument (LI).

•

The Minister advised that he had recently met the CEO of the Mental Health Authority/Chief Psychiatrist Ghana, Dr Akwasi Osei and Professor Angela Ofori-Atta, Head of the Department of Psychological Services at the University of Ghana to request further information about the LI.

•

The Minister advised that he has included Mental Health as one of his top three priorities in the health portfolio. He would like to see the Mental Health LI passed through Parliament by the end of this year.

Saturday 15/04/17

Nkawkaw and Ntronang •

Rev. Father Ignatius Amposah

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Establishment of a ‘Sanctuary of Mercy’ - a Rehabilitation Centre and a place to provide employment for the local youth.

•

Visit to the village of Ntronang to see parts of the 300 acres of land that has been donated towards the project.

Thursday 20/04/17

Office of the Attorney General of Ghana •

Attorney General of Ghana, The Honourable Gloria Akuffo

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Support towards the speedy passage of the Mental Health Act LI.

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Current mental health concerns.

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The work being carried out by the Mental Health Advocacy Group Ghana including training programs for the Judiciary.

Friday 21/04/2017

Venue N&MC, Accra West Office •

Mr. Thomas Nii Teiko Tagoe

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Regional Director Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC), Greater-Accra.

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Continuous Professional Development points.

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Mental Health and Well-being Foundation accreditation with the N&MC.

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Including mental health topics in the general nursing curriculum.

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Visit to Kaneshie Polyclinic where mental health support is provided with mental health nurses attached to general hospital including providing outreach to patients.

Friday 21/04/2017

Mental Health Authority, East Legon

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Dr Akwasi Osei, Chief Psychiatrist of Ghana / CEO, Mental Health Authority

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Verbal report on the training of over 300 Ghanaians on Suicide Prevention and other interactions.

•

Memorandum of Understanding between the MHWF and the Authority.

Acknowledgements Many people supported the MHWF in the establishment of the suicide hotline initiative and during the Ghana visit in April 2017 that enabled the above mentioned activities and important connections and discussions to be achieved. Sincere thanks are extended to the following people: • The over 300 or so participants from across various organizations and institutions; Ghana Medical Council, private organizations as well as non-health workers who attended the training sessions, some of whom had travelled for many hours and miles to attend the training who will now be in a position to be the first responders in the quest for suicide prevention • The members of the MHWF Ghana Branch for their tireless work and support • The enthusiastic members of the Mental Health and Well-being Foundation UHAS branch who organized the seminar • Mr Wali Mutazammil for his expertise, interest and support.

• Dr. Ruth Owusu-Antwi, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Komofo Anokye Hospital who organized the facilities and publicized the event • The Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Health and Allied Science, Professor Prudence Portia Mwini-Nyaledzigbor.

• Tutors from the various faculties, UHAS

Reflection The crisis of the youth suicides provided an opportunity for training of Ghanaians on how to assist someone in suicide crisis. We hope that the learning has been beneficial to all those who attended the workshops.

Sadly, we are still not in a position to help everyone who may contemplate suicide but if anyone were to contact anyone who has attend the training, we are confident that that person will be helped to the fullest of our abilities.

Special thanks to Mr Wali Nii Obodai Mutazammil from the US who came to Ghana with his resources to assist with the workshops. I am grateful to the Ghana Team for all the work the have been doing.

Report by Francis Acquah and Patience Agyare.

May 2017

DONATIONS are always welcome at www.mhfgh.org Mr Francis Acquah President Mental Health and Well-being Foundation E: info@mhfgh.org P: +61 413 543 690

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