Prof. E.F.B. Forster Public Lecture: Let’s work together to bridge gaps and enhance mental health landscape -Prof. Pinaman Appau to religious groups

In a landmark event held in Accra on November 13, 2024, Ghana’s Mental Health Authority (MHA) convened a gathering of policymakers, religious leaders, mental health experts, and community advocates to explore the intersection of religion and mental health. The second E.F.B. Forster Public Lecture of the year brought together a distinguished panel of speakers and thinkers to address the theme, “Religious Groups and the State of Mental Health in Ghana,” a topic of critical importance in a country where religious beliefs profoundly influence societal values and practices.

A call for dialogue
In her welcome address, Prof. Pinaman Appau, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Authority, emphasized the vital role of religion in shaping the mental health landscape in Ghana. As a deeply religious society, Ghana’s vast array of spiritual beliefs and practices often guides individuals in how they perceive, cope with, and seek treatment for mental health challenges. Prof. Appau acknowledged the complex relationship between religion and mental health, pointing out that while religion can provide comfort and community support, it can also inadvertently perpetuate stigma or misunderstanding surrounding mental health issues.

“Religion is a deeply rooted element in our lives and shapes us in many ways, so it is fitting that we explore how it influences—and is influenced by—mental health,” she said, urging the gathering to engage in open dialogue aimed at fostering better understanding and collaboration between religious groups and mental health professionals.

Religious influence on mental health in Ghana
Religious communities in Ghana wield significant influence, both as sources of comfort and spiritual healing, as well as potential barriers to seeking professional care. Prof. Appau noted that, despite growing awareness around mental health, misconceptions and superstitions still shape public perceptions. This is particularly true in rural areas and among certain religious communities where mental illness may be perceived as the result of spiritual failure, demonic possession, or divine punishment. These views, while rooted in cultural context, often lead to individuals avoiding medical intervention in favor of spiritual or religious healing.

“Religion has the potential to be either a supportive ally or a barrier to mental health awareness,” Prof. Appau observed. “We must create an environment where individuals can seek help openly, free from fear of judgment or discrimination.”

A shared responsibility for healing
The lecture series featured contributions from influential figures, including Lawyer Estelle Appiah, Board Chair of the MHA, who delivered a heartfelt address. She stressed the role of religious institutions in shaping cultural beliefs and societal norms, urging them to harness their unique influence to promote mental well-being and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Drawing attention to the pioneering work of her late father, Prof. E.F.B. Forster, the first Black psychiatrist in Ghana, Lawyer Appiah underscored the importance of collaboration between religious leaders and mental health professionals in breaking the silence around mental health.

“Religious groups can be instrumental in raising awareness, offering support, and breaking the stigma tied to mental illness,” she said. “However, if not appropriately managed, religion and religious leaders can be precursors to mental health casualties. Together, we can foster more open, supportive conversations.”

Integrating faith and clinical care
One of the most compelling voices in the discussion was Dr. Peter Yeboah, Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG). He underscored the potential for synergy between biomedical care and faith-based approaches to mental health. Dr. Yeboah highlighted that, despite the increasing secularization of mental health treatment globally, religious institutions remain vital players in the country’s health care system. He emphasized the need for faith-based organizations to be integrated into national mental health strategies, not as competitors but as collaborators.

“Religious groups are not just sources of spiritual guidance; they are also community resources with deep trust and access to people in ways that biomedical institutions cannot always achieve,” Dr. Yeboah noted. He pointed out that CHAG, which represents 71% of Christian health institutions and 19% of Islamic health providers in Ghana, is uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge between the spiritual and medical realms.

Addressing gaps in mental health services

Despite the growing recognition of mental health as a critical part of overall well-being, significant gaps remain in the mental health care system in Ghana. Dr. Yeboah highlighted several key challenges, including insufficient resources, limited mental health training for community-based providers, and a lack of integrated services. The Mental Health Act of 2012 and the national mental health policy have set ambitious goals, but many of these have yet to be fully realized due to resource constraints and a fragmented health system.

“We need to move from silos to synergies,” Dr. Yeboah emphasized, calling for better coordination between religious groups and the state to ensure that mental health services are accessible, culturally competent, and compassionate. This collaboration, he added, should be rooted in a shared understanding of mental illness that recognizes both the spiritual and physical aspects of healing.

The path forward: Synergies, not siloes
The conversation concluded with a collective call for greater collaboration between religious groups, mental health professionals, and government bodies. All speakers agreed that religious leaders, with their widespread reach and influence, could play a pivotal role in transforming mental health advocacy in Ghana. However, to achieve this, there must be effective oversight, training, and regulatory frameworks that ensure religious interventions complement rather than replace professional mental health care.

A recurring theme throughout the day was the need for more robust mental health information systems that reflect the contributions of religious institutions and foster evidence-based practices. Both Prof. Appau and Dr. Yeboah emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive mental health strategy that includes religious groups as active partners in the fight against stigma and misinformation.

A shared vision for a healthier future
As the event concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to forging stronger partnerships between faith-based and clinical mental health care. In a country where religion plays such a central role in daily life, it is clear that the collaboration between religious groups and the MHA holds immense potential to reshape the mental health landscape in Ghana.

Through open dialogue, mutual respect, and shared resources, Ghana can move closer to a future where mental health is not just understood but valued, where individuals have access to the care they need, and where communities can thrive in a culture of empathy, compassion, and healing.

As Prof. Appau aptly put it in her closing remarks: “Let us work together to enhance the mental health landscape in Ghana, with the hope that today’s discussions will lay the foundation for a more supportive future for all.”

Indeed, the journey toward a healthier, more understanding Ghana has just begun, and the role of religious groups in this mission will undoubtedly be indispensable.