In the heart of Ghana, a mental health crisis lies silently amidst the vibrant culture and rich history. For too long, mental health issues have been shrouded in stigma, preventing individuals from seeking the care they need and deserve. Yet, within this challenge lies an opportunity for transformative change, particularly for the youth and women who hold the promise of a brighter future.
The Silent Struggle
Ghana, like many African nations, faces significant mental health challenges. Over 2.3 million Ghanaians live with mental health conditions, yet the infrastructure to support them is severely lacking. With only three major psychiatric hospitals and a handful of mental health professionals, the treatment gap is staggering. More than 90% of those in need of mental health care do not receive it, leaving many to suffer in silence.
This lack of support has led to inhumane practices such as shackling and confinement in inadequate conditions—often in prayer camps and traditional healing centers. Despite legal frameworks designed to protect individuals with mental health conditions, these practices persist, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change (Human Rights Watch) (Ghana News Agency).
A Vision for Change
Amidst these challenges, there is hope. GDLY's impact project (a part of our global "Inner Peace to World Peace" campaign) in Ghana aims to address these issues head-on by integrating mindful leadership and resilience training with a focus on the green economy. This holistic approach not only addresses mental health but also empowers individuals to become leaders in their communities, fostering a culture of resilience and sustainable development.
Mindful Leadership: Going Inward to Reach Outward
Mindful leadership training equips individuals with the tools to navigate life's challenges with clarity and compassion. By focusing on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and stress management, participants learn to lead with empathy and resilience. This training is particularly impactful for youth and women, who often face additional societal pressures and barriers. Furthermore, our ISEC program connects inner resilience to community resilience through the professional work of individuals.
In Ghana, where mental health stigma is deeply rooted, mindful leadership training can help break down barriers. It encourages open conversations about mental health, reduces stigma, and promotes a supportive community environment. Through mindfulness practices, individuals learn to manage stress and anxiety, improving their overall well-being and ability to contribute positively to their communities (World Health Organization (WHO)) (Human Rights Watch).
(Our first session in Kumasi; July 4, 2024)
Resilience Training: Building Strength from Within
Resilience training complements mindful leadership by providing practical strategies to cope with adversity. This training focuses on building mental strength, fostering a growth mindset, and developing problem-solving skills. For Ghanaian youth and women, resilience training is a powerful tool to overcome the unique challenges they face.
Resilient individuals are better equipped to handle the pressures of daily life, from economic instability to social discrimination. Fostering inner strength not only improves mental health but also enhances their ability to take on leadership roles and drive positive change in their communities (Citi News) (Ghana News Agency).
The Green Economy: A Sustainable Future
The green economy focuses on sustainable development, emphasizing renewable energy, conservation, and environmentally-friendly practices. Integrating the principles of the green economy into our training programs further amplifies our impact. By training youth and women in green economy initiatives, we go beyond addressing mental health to also promote economic empowerment and environmental stewardship. Partnering with Recycle Up Ghana (an initiative that has pursued a waste-free world through behavioral changes, entrepreneurship, and R&D in climate adaptation and innovation since 2014), we align ourselves with global efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable development, ensuring that our impact is both local and global (Ghana News Agency).
Our Impact: A Story of Transformation
We met with approximately 150 stakeholders and leaders as we shared our know-how in fostering happiness and resilience.
On July 4th in Kumasi, we invited over 100 local elderly women—waste-pickers working with aggregators of Recycle Up—to attend our first session. Keeping accessibility in mind, we provided free transportation to the venue, a plastic-free lunch during the session, and a translator who could speak Twi (a common language in Ghana's Asante region). The session itself focused on happiness: discussing general life satisfaction, reflecting on happiness, light physical engagements like stretching, and more.
The second session was held July 5th, also in Kumasi, with 13 local young professionals and entrepreneurs (aged 20-35) who are part of Recycle Up Ghana's incubator program, which looks at circular economies and sustainability in the fashion, health, and skincare industries. This hybrid session focused on resilience, mindfulness practices, and social entrepreneurship in a global landscape.
Our last session was in Accra on July 11th with more than 15 young professionals in attendance. The focus was similar to that of the second session, but this time we were able to dive deeper into these topics with open discussions of mental health and meditation practice in a group.
Our work in Ghana is more than a series of training sessions; it embodies a movement toward a more resilient and sustainable future. By empowering individuals with the tools for mindful leadership and resilience, we are nurturing a generation that can face mental health challenges with strength and compassion. This movement is about creating a community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, contribute, and lead. Join us in our mission to create lasting change and uplift the lives of those who hold the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
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