The Mental Health Authority reports that 3,765 cases of mental disorders linked to alcohol consumption and 5,554 cases linked to other psychoactive substance use were reported in 2023.
The authority emphasized that drug usage, especially among young people, is becoming a bigger problem in Ghana.
In Ghana, the number of mental illnesses associated with the use of psychoactive substances has steadily increased over the last five years. From 4,155 instances in 2019 to 5,554 cases in 2023, the age group most impacted is 20–34 years old.
According to the Mental Health Authority, this tendency presents serious obstacles to the nation’s socioeconomic progress, public safety, and health.
Like many other nations, Ghana has significant mental health problems that are frequently disregarded because of social, cultural, and financial considerations. Improving healthcare infrastructure, raising public awareness, and enacting supportive legislation are all necessary to address these issues.
In Ghana, mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are somewhat prevalent, while precise prevalence rates are hard to determine because of underreporting and a lack of thorough research.
Drug-related occurrences and health crises have significantly increased in recent years, according to a statement issued by the Mental Health Authority on June 26, 2024, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This pattern emphasizes how important it is to have efficient preventative and intervention plans.
Data from the District Health Information Management System (DHIMS), which regularly lists mental problems brought on by alcohol and other psychoactive substances as one of the top 10 reasons for outpatient visits to mental health facilities, was highlighted in the statement. In particular, 5,554 cases of mental problems linked to the use of other psychoactive substances and 3,765 cases linked to alcohol consumption were reported in 2023.
The statement also highlighted a worrying five-year trend that shows a consistent increase in mental problems associated with the use of psychoactive substances, rising from 4,155 instances in 2019 to 5,554 cases in 2023. Although cases have been observed in youngsters as young as 10 to 14 years old, the age group most affected is those between 20 and 34 years old, illustrating the wide-ranging effects of drug-related problems across many age groups.
