By Jones Anlimah
The Women, Media and Change (WOMEC) has urged government and stakeholders to prioritise access to mental health services for women and girls, especially during times of crisis. The organisation made the call in a statement issued to mark World Mental Health Day 2025, observed under the theme, “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”
According to WOMEC, the theme is particularly relevant to Ghana and other African countries where economic hardship, floods, epidemics, road accidents, gender-based violence, and other emergencies continue to undermine mental well-being.
The organisation observed that women often bear the greatest emotional and psychological burden during such crises, as they serve as caregivers, frontline workers, and survivors of trauma. Despite this, many lack access to professional mental health care due to stigma, discrimination, and financial challenges, particularly in rural areas.
WOMEC stressed that access to mental health care must be regarded as a basic human right and integrated into all emergency response and recovery plans. The organisation is calling for stronger institutional and policy support to ensure that women receive timely and affordable mental health assistance.
Among its key recommendations, WOMEC urged government and development partners to:
- Strengthen CHPS compounds with mental health services tailored to women and girls.
- Provide free trauma and psychosocial counselling for survivors of gender-based violence.
- Integrate mental health screening into antenatal and postnatal care.
- Expand the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover all mental health services and medications.
The organisation also highlighted the role of civil society, traditional and faith leaders, and employers in promoting mental wellness. WOMEC called for the creation of safe spaces for women, responsible media reporting, and the elimination of harmful stereotypes that prevent individuals from seeking help.
It emphasised that when women are mentally strong, families become stable, communities thrive, and national development is strengthened.
