Mahama to provide mental healthcare for gender-based violence survivors

Providing mental healthcare for gender-based violence survivors is very important for several reasons:

Trauma recovery: Survivors of gender-based violence often experience significant trauma, which can have long-lasting effects on their mental health and well-being. Mental healthcare can help survivors process their experiences, cope with emotional distress, and work towards healing and recovery.

Addressing mental health conditions: Gender-based violence can lead to the development of mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Access to mental healthcare services can help survivors address these conditions and receive appropriate treatment and support.

Empowerment and self-care: Mental healthcare can empower survivors to take control of their mental health and well-being. By providing survivors with tools and resources to manage their mental health, they can build resilience, self-esteem, and a sense of agency in their recovery process.

Breaking the cycle of violence: Addressing the mental health needs of survivors is essential for breaking the cycle of violence. By supporting survivors in their healing journey, mental healthcare can help prevent the re-victimisation of survivors and promote healthier relationships and communities.

Promoting social change: Providing mental healthcare for gender-based violence survivors sends a powerful message that their well-being and recovery are valued and prioritised. This can help challenge societal attitudes and norms that perpetuate gender-based violence and promote a culture of support, empathy, and respect for survivors.

Providing mental healthcare for gender-based violence survivors is, therefore, essential for promoting healing, empowerment, and resilience in survivors, as well as for creating a more supportive and inclusive society for all.

H.E. John Mahama's plan to provide mental healthcare for gender-based violence survivors if he wins the upcoming presidential election on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress is as a result a critical aspect of addressing the long-term impact of violence and supporting survivors in their recovery process. By prioritising mental healthcare for survivors, Mahama's plan reveals his dedication to addressing the holistic needs of survivors and promoting their well-being.

Access to mental healthcare services can help survivors cope with trauma, manage emotional distress, and rebuild their sense of self-worth and resilience. It can also help survivors to address any mental health conditions that may have arisen as a result of the violence they experienced.

By integrating mental healthcare into the response to gender-based violence, Mahama's plan recognises the interconnected nature of physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. This approach can help to break the cycle of violence, empower survivors to heal and thrive, and contribute to building a more supportive and inclusive society for all.

Anthony Obeng Afrane