THE CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH -Chief Psychiatrist raises concerns

THE CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH
-Chief Psychiatrist raises concerns

Oftentimes we downplay issues that lead to the child's suicidal tendencies and such attitudes from society have led to avoidable suicides.

The Chief Psychiatrist and first Chief Executive Officer of Ghana's Mental Health Authority, Dr Akwasi Osei, has intimated the need for the general public to understand that mental illness is not a respecter of age.
Adding that the child is more vulnerable than the adult because the child is not experienced in life to bear difficulties to certain levels.

Dr Osei has raised depression as the major trigger to suicidal tendencies in both the child and the adult.
He has raised issues of sudden disinterest and withdrawal, sleep disorders, loneliness, and shabby dressing, among others as early warning signs of mental illness.

With the school child, insults from parents for low performance in class or exam, prolonged ridicule because of body size or height, attribution of an exceptionally brilliant girl to witchcraft, can gravely destabilise the mind.

He has also mentioned heartbreak among girls in relationships as a pervasive cause of mental illness.
The use of tramadol, weed, cocaine and alcohol among boys, according to Dr Osei, must be tackled seriously to avoid mental illnesses.

He spoke on Obuasi-based Shaft 98.1 News@6pm co-hosted by Aboagye Dacosta on Tuesday.


✍🏽: Osei Kuffour
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