Acquire knowledge about bipolar disorder to better understand, support your friends
The Mental Health Authority (MHA) has urged Ghanaians to take an interest in acquiring knowledge about bipolar disorder in order to better understand and know how to support friends or family members in times of need.
This is emphasised in a press release issued on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, to mark the 2022 World Bipolar Disorder Day.
World Bipolar Day marked every year on March 30 is intended to raise awareness worldwide of bipolar conditions and to strengthen efforts to remove social stigma whilst presenting information to educate and help people understand this difficult condition.
According to the Mental Health Authority, it is committed to this cause and intends to heighten the conversation and broaden the awareness of bipolar disorder this year.
In an appeal, the authority is urging the public to learn about the disorder to be able to support friends who suffer from same.
“We appeal to everyone to make a personal commitment to acquire some knowledge on bipolar disorder and mental health in general to better understand and support our friends and loved ones living with mental health conditions,” parts of a release from the MHA signed by its Chief Executive Prof Akwasi Osei reads.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition which affects a person’s mood. The person can have depressive symptoms such as feeling hopeless, worthless, lack of energy, having sleeping or eating difficulties and even suicidal thoughts. There is also difficulty in concentrating and taking decisions and loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable. On the other hand, an individual experiencing mania will have an elevated mood, feel important, be over-confident, full of grandiose ideas and energy, take risk they would normally not take and might have less need for sleep. This impairs the person’s daily functional ability. Untreated or improperly managed bipolar disorder has detrimental consequences that can result in family distress, poor job or school performance and strained relationships.
Family members must observe their wards with emotional and behavioural symptoms and seek a mental health professional opinion. School officials can provide a plan that will best support the student and at home the entire family must work together to help manage the condition. Family members, parents and guardians can help improve care by learning more about the condition and on what one should expect.
There is professional help readily available in the country to assist family members in managing their wards with bipolar disorder. Therefore, it is critical to seek expert advice from mental health professionals or even visit a medical facility for a start. The professionals in the country are committed to the provision of quality mental health care.
On this day, we also take the opportunity to remind all our stakeholders about our call for greater investment in mental health. This will make available some needed financial and logistical resources required for the transformation of the mental health system. The establishment of the mental health levy, incorporation of mental health services into NHS, improved donor assistance, support from local / multinational orgnisations and intensified positive media coverage about mental health are key interventions that can be taken to achieve the anticipated vision. We appeal to everyone to make a personal commitment to acquire some knowledge about bipolar disorder and mental health in general to better understand and support our friends and loved ones living with mental health conditions.