THE Accra Psychiatric Hospital recorded a total of 30,904 mental cases during the last quarter of 2008 as against 26,261 patients who were admitted in 2007, the Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr Akwasi Osei, has told the Daily Graphic.
He attributed the increase to schizophrenia, depression, mania and substance abuse. Out of these new cases, there were 2,066 males against 1,854 females.
He expressed regret about the rate at which the youth continued to indulge in alcohol and drug abuse against all advice which were the major causes of mental health in the country.
He advised the public especially the youth to stay away from drugs and alcohol to curb mental illness in the country.
Dr Osei said the challenges faced the hospital included inadequate human resources and financial problems which had compelled the hospital’s authorities to begin mass repatriation of some patients to their respective homes.
Dr Osei appealed to the government to pass the Mental Health Bill (MHB) into law in order to eschew maltreatment of patients by some healers at prayer camps.
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