Psychiatric resident and staff at the University of Ghana Hospital, Dr. Nuwor Moses has called for the creation of more awareness for men’s mental health through the various media platforms.
With the month of June being dedicated to raising awareness of men’s mental health, a topic that often goes unspoken and misunderstood, it has become crucial for the society to also pay heed to mental health issues among men, further encouraging open conservations, support and understanding of their challenges.
In an interview on campus Exclusive, Dr. Nuwor spoke on the relevance of dedicating an entire month to the topic, subsequently highlighting the struggles men face in line with their mental health challenges.
” It is essential to create awareness on men’s mental health as men often face societal pressure to be strong and unemotional which can bottle up their feelings and not seek help when needed. This usually results in depression and anxiety which aggravates into men facing mental challenges.”
On the need for platforms to create awareness, the psychiatry resident explained how the media can propagate sensitization of individuals to make the topic more empathic to change the narrative of stigmatization for men who suffer mental health issues.
“The media is one great platform which can help create awareness on men’s mental health . This can be done through TV shows, podcast and movies. This would help make the topic more relatable and less taboo as it teaches the nitty gritties of the issue and helps to sensitize individual’s minds on it.”
Dr. Nuwor also urged for the need to harness community spirit to prevent isolation and encourage inclusivity to help individuals combat mental challenges.
“As we know and observe each other in the society without living in idleness,we are able to identify slight changes in one’s behaviour which usually constitutes how mental challenges commence . We see someone, suddenly there is a change in mood, it persists for sometime ,lingers and later develops into a mental health challenge. Thus, when you see something, say something and do something before it gets out of hand. For a stitch in time saves nine.”
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Story by: JisLord Naaa Ablorh | univers.ug.edu.gh
