OBJECTIVE: This paper identifies the key barriers to mental health policy implementation in Ghana and suggests ways of overcoming them. METHOD: The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitatively, the WHO Mental Health Policy and Plan Checklist and the WHO Mental Health Legislation Checklist were employed to analyse the content of mental health policy, plans and legislation in Ghana. Qualitative data was gathered using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders in mental health at the macro, meso and micro levels. These were used to identify barriers to the implementation of mental health policy, and steps to overcoming these. RESULTS: Barriers to mental health policy implementation identified by participants include: low priority and lack of political commitment to mental health; limited human and financial resources: lack of intersectoral collaboration and consultation; inadequate policy dissemination; and an absence of research-based evidence to inform mental health policy. Suggested steps to overcoming the barriers include: revision of mental health policy and legislation; training and capacity development and wider consultation. CONCLUSION: These results call for well-articulated plans to address the barriers to the implementation of mental health policy in Ghana to reduce the burden associated with mental disorders.
OBJECTIVE: This paper identifies the key barriers to mental health policy implementation in Ghana and suggests ways of overcoming them. METHOD: The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitatively, the WHO Mental Health Policy and Plan Checklist and the WHO Mental Health Legislation Checklist were employed to analyse the content of mental health policy, plans and legislation in Ghana. Qualitative data was gathered using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders in mental health at the macro, meso and micro levels. These were used to identify barriers to the implementation of mental health policy, and steps to overcoming these. RESULTS: Barriers to mental health policy implementation identified by participants include: low priority and lack of political commitment to mental health; limited human and financial resources: lack of intersectoral collaboration and consultation; inadequate policy dissemination; and an absence of research-based evidence to inform mental health policy. Suggested steps to overcoming the barriers include: revision of mental health policy and legislation; training and capacity development and wider consultation. CONCLUSION: These results call for well-articulated plans to address the barriers to the implementation of mental health policy in Ghana to reduce the burden associated with mental disorders.
Authors: Kenneth A Ae-Ngibise; Edward Adiibokah; Obed Ernest A Nettey; Solomon Nyame; Victor Christian Korley Doku; Kwaku Poku Asante; Seth Owusu-Agyei Journal: Int J Ment Health Syst Date: 2017-03-13
Authors: Kwaku Poku Asante; Charlotte Tawiah Agyemang; Charles Zandoh; Jacob Saah; Lawrence Gyabaa Febir; Casimir Kabio Donlebo; Seth Owusu-Agyei Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2013-10-03 Impact factor: 2.655