More than 2,000 cases of bipolar disorder were diagnosed in the Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Central regions between 2022 and 2025, a trend the Mental Health Authority has described as worrying.
Dr. Yaw Amankwa Arthur, Deputy Director of Health Promotion at the Authority, disclosed the figures during a capacity-building workshop for guidance and counselling coordinators in the Ablekuma West Municipal Education Directorate in Accra. The event, held to mark World Bipolar Day, aimed to equip school authorities with the skills to identify early symptoms and support affected students.
Dr. Arthur noted that the condition remains widely misunderstood, contributing to stigma and delayed treatment. He stressed that everyday stressors and lifestyle factors can predispose individuals to mental health conditions, underscoring the importance of awareness and self-care.
He further highlighted the broader economic impact, citing research indicating that mental health costs account for approximately seven per cent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He called on organisations and individuals to invest in mental health awareness to enhance national productivity.
On access to care, Dr. Arthur noted that mental health services have been integrated into primary healthcare, making support more accessible nationwide. He reiterated that bipolar disorder can be managed effectively through medication, therapy, or a combination of both, and urged the public to seek early treatment at health facilities.
In a speech read on his behalf, the acting Director of the Authority, Dr. Eugene K. Dordoye, said reducing stigma and discrimination is critical to encouraging people living with bipolar disorder to seek help without fear. He called for stronger collaboration between the health and education sectors to promote mental health awareness, particularly among young people.
The Ablekuma West Municipal Director of Education, Christian Julius Aforlah, commended the Authority for the initiative, noting that 155 teachers were benefiting from the initial phase of training. He added that the programme would be expanded to cover more than 500 teachers in the municipality.
