COMMUNIQUE (21ST – 22ND OCTOBER 2010)

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AFTER A TWO DAY 2nd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SOCIETY OF GHANA (MEHSOG) HELD IN BOLGATANGA, 21ST – 22ND OCTOBER 2010
We the participants of this 2nd Annual General Meeting organised by BasicNeeds Ghana, Mental Health Society of Ghana (MEHSOG) and themed “Increasing the participation of Users and their families in Mental Healthcare Delivery”

Note that:

• There is a big gap between the needs of people with mental illness and the services available to meet these needs
• People with mental illness and their primary carers are not consulted on issues of mental health care delivery in Ghana
• Many people with mental illness are still stigmatised, excluded and denied their basic needs and basic rights
• Mental health service User Movement is at an infant stage in Ghana We therefore resolve that:
• We shall establish strong community based Self Help Groups of People with mental illness and their primary carers and representative District Associations under the umbrella of MEHSOG for Self Representation
  n order to protect the rights and dignity of people with mental illness, we shall support the speedy passage of the Mental Health Bill and other legislative frameworks and mechanisms that promote access to equity and justice as citizens of Ghana
• We shall advocate the inclusion and participation of people with mental illness and their primary carers in mental health care delivery in Ghana
  Agreed by the participants on October 22, 2010