GADANGME JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH & EDUCATION.
SCOPE AND INTENT:
GaDangme Journal of Mental Health & Education is an extention of GaDangme Heritage and Cultural Foundation, www.gadangme.weebly.com This website will focus on GaDangme mental health and education issues. In so doing, we will seek contributions from GaDangme professionals in the areas of Psychiatry, Medicine, Clinical/Educational Psychologists, Mental Health Nurses, Psychiatric Social Workers,
School Administrators, School Counselors, School teachers and GaDangme Youths. GaDangme Journal of Mental Health & Education will not be involved in any formal diagnosis, but will provide information and suggestions on education on mental health issues based on literature review and refer those who may contact us to a duly qualified mental professional in the jurisdictions in they reside to diagnosis and treatment. We aim to provide information on mental health and education issues to all GaDagmes both in Ghana and in the Diaspora.
Mental Health:
Mental health can and do affect people from all walks of life regardless of gender, age, social status, ethnicity or what we do for a living. Like all other variables, mental health is normally distributed in a population. Thus, one may expect between two to five (2-5) of a given population to have one form of mental illness or the other. It makes sense, therefore, GaDangmes are well informed about the nature, manifestations ,diagnosis and treatment of the mentally ill in our midst.
Regrettably, mental illness has become a social stigma among GaDangmes and, in Ghanaian society generally. People with mental illness become social outcasts, are ill-treated, neglected by their families and treated with contempt. The fact is that mental illness is just like any other disease. With proper diagnosis, effective treatment and community support many people with mental illness can live normal lives and meet their social obligations and responsibilites. In a number of instances, replacement therapy treatment daily may be all the patient need to go about his/her daily life in the same way as a patient with hypertension is given anti-hypertensive medication daily to bring his/her blood pressure normal levels. Unfortunately, without adequate resources and diagnoses all the mentally ill in our society are considered as "sekeyeloi," and are subjected to the same somewhat inadequate treatment.
It is therefore absolutely necessary to rid us of our ignorance and fear of the mentally ill by educating us of the illness. GaDangme Journal of Mental Health & Education is designed to partake in this public education process about mental health issues. We welcome contributions from GaDangme professionals, the wider GaDangme public and all those interested in GaDangme issues. We welcome inquires from GaDangmes and shall do all we can to assist all those who seek our help.
Education:
Education, both formally and informally is the most effective vehicle for social change and advancement. However, our emphasis here is on formal education and how that impact GaDangme youths of today. If we GaDangmes are to compete fairly with others on a level plain field, then we must focus on education of our youths, especially in the areas of culture, math, science and technology
However, as stated earlier, we can expect two to five (2-5) of youths in school to have one form of mental illness or other, just like the rest of the wider public. Thus, we must give attention to mental health issues among our youths and assist them as much as we can through public awareness programs, necessary and sufficient diagnosis and treatment.
A small percentage of GaDangme youths can be expected to have learning disorders, including learning disabilities, developmental issues, attention-deficit/hyperactive disorders and a number of behavior disorders, etc. as identified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Environmental problems such as dysfunctional families and inadequate support system can have adverse impact of the child's academic performance. With adequate diagnosis, treatment and support system, most youth with learning disorders and behavior problems can be helped.
Thus, the purpose of this website is to provide information on learning disorders and mental health issues to GaDangme parents, youths and the wider public. GaDangme Journal of Mental Health & Education shall charge no fees for services and/or information provided. Simply contact us using our Contact Us/Form and we shall respond.
Thank You.
Dr. Joseph Nii Abekar Mensah, PhD,
Mental Health & Education Consultant,
April 21, 2013.
