Diabetes is a major global health issue that significantly affects a vast number of people living with it. In diabetes/hypertension management the following are also key: lifestyle modification; diet plan, physical activity, regular checkups reducing alcohol intake and smoking prevention: adherence to medications and compliance. Support from family and friends is also incredibly important.
Community empowerment sessions with diabetic patients were held in order to better understand what their needs and expectations are. We saw that a great stigma exists for those who suffer from diabetes. In honor of World Mental Health Day (October 10th) we want to share about Abina and Charles to help highlight the neglected side of Mental Health.
Many are afraid to even tell their family members such as Abina, a mother of 2 who lives in the greater area of Accra and has trouble accessing treatment and managing the disease on her own.
“I haven’t told my family. I feel they wouldn’t want to touch anything that belongs to me, so I don’t share spoons, plates etc.”
And Charles, who is 35 years old and living in Breman Asikuma, used to be active with community mobilization work. After being diagnosed with Diabetes he is concerned about what his peers will think of him, “I feel people will point hands at me by addressing me as the guy with diabetes.” This social separation from friends, family, and community is deeply troubling and leads to further problems.
Stigmatization and depression are associated with diabetes and causes much suffering. One study in Ghana showed 31% of diabetic patients were also depressed. However, depression is rarely talked about or diagnosed. Much of this is due to lack of knowledge about mental health illnesses. We at Africa eHealth feel that offering mental health services is a natural step forward to improve the holistic care and the health of the patients served by the hospitals and clinics that work with Africa eHealth. Screening for depression and other mental illnesses while at the same time offering support, information, counseling services, and referral for treatment when necessary is a great value adding service that can be offered by hospitals as part of Africa eHealth’s services.
We look forward to sharing more with you in regard to the Mental Health project. We hope to make progress in this area, because there is great need and a great lack of resources for mental health both in Ghana and other Sub-Saharan countries.
Written by:
Pearl Aovare and Chase Neff
