COVID-19 and Mental Health in Ghana

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the impact of the corona virus pandemic on the mental health of Ghanaians. The study is a cross-sectional survey that employed quantitative analytical tools. Data was collected via google forms regarding the first eight weeks of the outbreak of the corona virus in Ghana and analysis was done using SPSS v21. The results of the study indicated that most Ghanaians resort to television, social media and the internet to access information on mental health during the pandemic. Ghanaians have agreed that most mental health disorders are not due to morally incorrect (inappropriate) thinking, depression is one of the mental health disorders in the elderly, and most people who are aware of their mental health disorders are willing to seek professional help, long-term sleep problems should not be considered as mental health disorders, and old people are very likely to develop mental health disorders. It was recommended that the media should launch campaigns to advocate for the MoH to address mental health issues in the country at this time. Additionally, health care professionals must attend to the growing and ongoing needs of older adults living with chronic conditions in the covid-19 era.