Availability and Accessibility of Mental Health Intervention Programs in Resource-Limited Settings: A Case Study of Western Ghana
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Abstract
Despite global calls for equitable access to mental health care, service delivery in low-resource settings remains inconsistent and poorly integrated. This study explores the availability and accessibility of mental health intervention programs in Western Ghana, using a mixed-methods approach that combines structured surveys with in-depth interviews. Quantitative data from 200 respondents, including community members and health professionals, revealed that only 31% had access to mental health services, with less than 10% reporting the presence of trained personnel or regular psychotropic drug supply. Barriers such as distance to facilities, high treatment costs, stigma, and preference for traditional healing were widespread. Qualitative interviews confirmed these findings and highlighted systemic challenges including lack of infrastructure, minimal outreach programs, and weak implementation of national policy. The study concludes that despite Ghana’s Mental Health Act 846 (2012), significant gaps persist in operational delivery. It recommends targeted investments in decentralization, professional training, culturally sensitive community engagement, and regulatory oversight to close the implementation gap and promote equitable mental health care access.
Keywords: Mental health services, Accessibility, Ghana, Community perceptions, Health system implementation
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