In October 2023, the spillage of the Akosombo Dam caused catastrophic flooding in some districts of the Eastern, Volta, and Larger Accra regions, displacing hundreds of oldsters and leaving a path of destruction. For many, the flood used to be better than a bodily misfortune—it used to be a profound emotional shock. Households woke up to search out their properties submerged, their belongings destroyed, and their lives grew to alter into the inaccurate plot up. The loss of properties, livelihood, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead created an awesome sense of dread and despair amongst the affected communities.
The psychological affect of the misfortune used to be some distance-reaching. Kids struggled with the trauma of losing their protected spaces, while other folks battled emotions of helplessness as they confronted an unsure future. Successfully being workers, plenty of whom were furthermore victims of the flood, chanced on themselves beneath big tension to present care and enhance to others while dealing with their maintain misery. For these with pre-unusual mental well being stipulations, the misfortune worsened their struggles, and others started experiencing indicators of dread, despair, and put up-demanding stress.
Public well being emergencies enjoy the floods caused by the Akosombo dam spillage in overall grunt a foremost but not famed of such disasters—the tension on mental well being. Left unaddressed, these challenges can hinder recovery efforts and plod away lengthy-term scars on the affected populations. Recognizing this, the World Successfully being Organization (WHO), with funding from UK in Ghana, stepped in to handle the urgent need for mental well being and psychosocial enhance services.
Dr. Leveana Gyimah, Technical Officer for Psychological Successfully being at WHO, emphasised the significance of prioritizing mental well being for the duration of public emergencies:
“Floods and other natural disasters don’t just destroy property—they leave deep emotional scars. The psychological impact can be long-lasting, affecting not just individuals but entire communities. By integrating mental health and psychosocial support into the flood response, we’ve been able to bring relief to those most affected and build the capacity of health workers to address these needs.”
Amongst the moderately about a beneficiaries of this program used to be Richard Sedem Ahakutor, a mental well being nurse from Sogakope, who experienced mental well being challenges for the duration of the misfortune. “The flood was overwhelming. I lost everything, and at the same time, I was expected to help others cope. It became too much to handle. Thanks to the support I received through this intervention, I was able to get back on my feet and continue supporting my community,” he shared.
Dr. Senanu Kwesi Dzokoto, Volta Regional Director of Ghana Successfully being Services and products, highlighted the broader affect of the initiative. He acknowledged, “Emergencies like this expose the gaps in our mental health support systems. WHO’s collaboration with the Mental Health Authority has allowed us to respond effectively to the needs of flood victims, ensuring that both residents and health workers receive the help they deserve. This intervention has been a critical step toward building a more resilient health system.”
To manufacture certain that the affected people obtained holistic care, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists were deployed to present counseling and specialists psychiatrists services. Dr. Richard Dei-Asamoa, a clinical psychologist and psychiatrist at Korle-Bu Teaching Successfully being facility, reflected on the significance of mental well being services in misfortune eventualities:
“Mental health is often overlooked during emergencies, but it is one of the most critical aspects of recovery. People need help to process their grief, anxiety, and trauma. This initiative has demonstrated how integrating mental health and psychosocial support services into disaster response can truly transform lives and communities.”
This collaborative effort has brought reduction and hope to these tormented by the Akosombo floods, demonstrating that addressing mental well being is barely correct as important as providing meals, shelter, and sanatorium treatment for the duration of emergencies. Because of funding from UK in Ghana, the initiative has strengthened mental well being systems within the plot, leaving a permanent affect on the lives of survivors and well being workers alike.
For Extra Information or to Save a query to Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Nation Tell of business
Email: abdullahiea [at] who.int (abdullahiea[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +233 20 196 2393
