"Adweneyare": How Ghana's Understanding of Mental Health Shapes Care

Gideon Nicholas Day 03:01 - 31 May 2026

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Mental health in Ghana is often shaped by cultural and spiritual beliefs. Experts and advocates say reducing stigma, improving awareness and expanding access to care are vital for better wellbeing.

In Ghana, emotional distress is often described using a familiar phrase: adweneyare ; literally translated as ‘mind sickness’. While the expression is commonly used to explain sadness, worry or stress, it reflects broader cultural beliefs about mental health that continue to shape how many people understand and respond to psychological challenges.

For decades, conversations about mental health in Ghana have been influenced by spiritual, cultural and social interpretations. Conditions such as depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders are frequently viewed through the lens of spirituality, curses or personal weakness rather than recognised as health conditions requiring professional support.As awareness of mental wellbeing grows around the world, experts say these deeply rooted perceptions continue to influence healthcare-seeking behaviour among many Ghanaians, particularly young people.

Mental Health Beyond Medicine

According to Mark Ofosu Asirifi, a health communication researcher at the University of Georgia, mental health remains heavily influenced by cultural beliefs within Ghanaian communities.Drawing on research conducted among Ghanaian students living in the United States, Asirifi found that many participants retained long-held beliefs about mental illness even after relocating abroad.

‘In my research, mental health is often seen as a type of illness that has spiritual backing,’ he explains.

Many people, he says, associate mental health conditions with curses, spiritual attacks, broken taboos or punishment for wrongdoing.As a result, individuals experiencing psychological difficulties may be encouraged to seek spiritual intervention first, while professional mental healthcare is often viewed as a last resort.These beliefs can create significant barriers to treatmen

‘If you have a mental health condition, some people think you have been cursed or someone is trying to destroy you spiritually,’ Asirifi says.

The fear of judgement, shame and misunderstanding often discourages people from speaking openly about their struggles or seeking professional help.

When Mental Healthcare Is Seen as a Luxury

Another challenge identified in Asirifi's research is the perception that mental healthcare is not essential.

‘People see mental health services as an add-on,’ he says. ‘They believe that if you are seeking mental health support, it means you have no real problems in life.’

Mark Ofosu Asirifi, a health communication researcher at the University of Georgia, USA

Such attitudes can cause people to delay seeking treatment until their condition becomes severe.Yet his findings also revealed a more encouraging reality. Individuals who eventually accessed counselling or psychological support often reported positive outcomes.Many were referred by friends or peers who recognised signs of emotional distress and encouraged them to seek help.The findings suggest that while stigma remains widespread, awareness and peer support can play a crucial role in connecting people to care.

A Personal Encounter With Depression

Asirifi's understanding of mental health is not solely academic.After moving to the United States to pursue a PhD, he found himself experiencing emotional difficulties that he initially struggled to understand.As academic pressures mounted, he gradually withdrew from friends, family and activities he once enjoyed.

‘I stopped taking calls from my mother. I stopped going to church. I would lock myself in my room and just stay there,’ he recalls

Some people around him interpreted these changes through a spiritual lens rather than recognising the signs of a mental health condition.Eventually, he sought professional support through university health services and was diagnosed with depression and a form of agoraphobia.

The experience exposed him to a healthcare system where mental health concerns were assessed clinically and treated through professional care rather than assumptions or stigma.His story illustrates the difference that early intervention and access to mental health services can make.

Faith, Community and Mental Health

Religion remains one of the strongest influences on how many Ghanaians understand mental health.For Philip Abutiate of the Music Ministry at International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), it is not surprising that some Christians interpret psychological challenges through spiritual explanations.

‘You cannot blame them. That is the foundation of the faith,’ he says.

Philip Abutiate of the Music Ministry at International Central Gospel Church (ICGC)

Drawing on biblical teachings, many believers naturally associate unusual behaviour or emotional distress with spiritual causes.However, Abutiate believes churches have an important role to play in reducing stigma and encouraging conversations around mental wellbeing.

‘Mental health or psychiatric conditions are things that, as a society generally, we are not comfortable talking about,’ he say

Image of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC)

Young People Want the Conversation to Change

For many young Ghanaians, stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles to seeking help.Twenty-four-year-old Ruby believes mental health challenges are far more common than many people realis

‘In Ghana, if people are actually struggling, they will never say it because of the stigma that comes with it,’ she says.

She notes that some people still dismiss mental health concerns as foreign concepts imported from Western societies rather than legitimate health issues.Twenty-five-year-old Aquila shares a similar concern.He believes many Ghanaians associate mental illness only with extreme cases while ignoring the emotional and psychological struggles that often go unseen.

‘Walking around naked is not the only mental health issue,’ he says. ‘Depression and other emotional struggles can also be mental health issues.’

According to him, greater openness and honest conversations could help more people seek support without fear of judgement.

Government's Role in Closing the Mental Health Gap

While awareness of mental health is gradually improving, Charlotte Ashieboye of the Mental Health Society of Ghana believes lasting progress will require stronger government support and investment.According to her, mental health should be treated as a public health priority rather than an issue affecting only a small segment of society.

‘The government has a critical role to play in ensuring that mental health services are accessible and affordable for all Ghanaians,’ she says.

Ashieboye notes that although Ghana has made significant strides through the implementation of the Mental Health Act and the establishment of the Mental Health Authority, challenges remain, particularly in funding, infrastructure and the availability of trained professionals.She argues that more resources are needed to expand mental health services beyond major urban centres and integrate mental healthcare into primary healthcare facilities across the country.

‘Many people who need support do not know where to go, or they are unable to access services because of cost, distance or a shortage of professionals,’ she explains.

Mental Health Society of Ghana

Ashieboye also emphasises the need for collaboration between government institutions, schools, workplaces, faith-based organisations and civil society groups to create a more supportive environment for people experiencing mental health challenges.

Breaking the Silence

Mental health advocates continue to stress that emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical health.Organisations including the Mental Health Society of Ghana, the Mental Health Authority, BasicNeeds Ghana and other advocacy groups are working to improve awareness, education and access to support services across the country.The challenge, however, extends beyond healthcare infrastructure. It also requires changing how society talks about mental health.

For generations, adweneyare has been used to describe emotional suffering. Today, experts argue it is time to move beyond simply acknowledging distress and begin treating mental health conditions with the same seriousness as any other health concern.As more young people speak openly about their experiences, Ghana's conversation on mental health may finally be shifting from silence and stigma towards understanding, support and care.