Madam Perfect Titiati, Ho Municipal Director of Health Services, has called on health workers and the public to prioritise mental health and create supportive environments where people feel heard, valued and cared for.
She said mental health remained the foundation of overall well-being and urged health professionals to demonstrate empathy and compassion toward patients instead of focusing solely on medication and laboratory investigations.
Madam Titiati made the remarks during the launch of the Purple Month mental health awareness campaign organised by the Ho Municipal Health Directorate in collaboration with the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho on Thursday.
The campaign, themed “Mental Well-Being for All: Turning Awareness into Action,” aimed to raise awareness about mental health and encourage individuals facing psychological challenges to seek support.
Madam Titiati noted that although health workers themselves often experienced stressful and traumatic situations, they were still expected to report to work daily to care for others, making mental well-being within the health sector especially important.
“We need to create a community of empathy, support and hope. We need to check on each other, check on our neighbours and make time to care for ourselves,” she stated.
She observed that many people visiting health facilities did not necessarily require medication but rather someone willing to listen and provide emotional support.
“A lot of people present with physical symptoms that are deeply connected to emotional and psychological struggles. Sometimes what people need most is someone to talk to,” she said.
Madam Titiati urged health professionals not to rush patients through consultations, laboratory tests and prescriptions without first listening to their concerns and understanding their emotional condition.
She also encouraged residents to speak openly about mental health challenges and seek professional help whenever necessary, stressing that asking for help was a sign of strength, not weakness.
“There is always somebody ready to listen. Let us use this month to make people feel better wherever we find ourselves,” she added.
The Director further advised both health workers and the public to prioritise self-care by eating well, exercising regularly, getting adequate rest and making time for relaxation and personal happiness.
Flight Sergeant Bright Azumah, a Mental Health Nurse at the Seven Medical Reception Station (7MRS), said mental health awareness campaigns must go beyond symbolic activities and be supported with resources, logistics and stronger institutional commitment.
He noted that mental healthcare continued to face challenges such as inadequate medication supply, limited logistics, stigma and low public understanding of mental health conditions.
According to him, research indicated that out of every 10 persons living with mental health conditions, only one accessed hospital care. At the same time, the majority sought help from traditional or faith-based healing centres.
“Mental health should not be seen as a condition affecting only a few people. Everyone is vulnerable, and early support and interdisciplinary care are very important,” he stated.
Flight Sergeant Azumah commended the leadership of the 66 Artillery Regiment and 7MRS for promoting mental healthcare and supporting soldiers experiencing psychological difficulties.
Mr Theophilus Kwadzo Doh, Head of the Mental Health and Well-Being Department at the Ho Polyclinic, thanked participants for supporting the Purple Month float and awareness campaign.
He said the event was not merely a parade but a call to action to end stigma, discrimination and silence surrounding mental health issues.
“Mental health is everybody’s business. Together, we can build a healthier and more supportive society for all,” he stated.
The awareness float started from the premises of the 66 Artillery Regiment in the early hours of Thursday and ended at the Ho Municipal Health Directorate.
Participants included personnel from the 66 Artillery Regiment and 7MRS, officials of the Health Directorate, students from health institutions in Ho and members of the public.
