Ghana recorded 36,196 cases across five major mental health conditions during the first half of 2026, marking an increase of 6,414 cases compared to the same period in 2025. Health officials attribute the rise largely to expanded reporting infrastructure and greater public willingness to seek professional care.
Schizophrenia and Epilepsy Dominate Facility Records
Data released by the Mental Health Authority shows that total cases across five primary categories reached 36,196 between January and June 2026, up from 29,782 during the corresponding months of 2025. Schizophrenia, schizotypal, and delusional disorders accounted for the largest share at 15,193 cases. Epilepsy followed with 9,072 recorded visits, while depression registered 5,939 cases. Mental disorders associated with alcohol use tallied 3,081, and bipolar disorder accounted for 2,911.
The agency cautioned that these figures encompass only five of the ten conditions included in its official tracking model and exclude individuals who avoid treatment due to social stigma. Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Authority, Dr. Eugene K. Dordoye noted that 11,917 health facilities nationwide now report mental health statistics, representing an expansion of reporting sites from 11,322 facilities last year. The Authority warned that unmanaged mental health conditions risk reducing workforce productivity, placing heavy burdens on family structures, and undermining overall national development.
From last year [2025], 11,322 to this year [2026], 11,917, we see an increase of 595. This increase is definitely a bit around a 20% increase. So because now we have many more facilities in the country reporting it, then of course, there is going to be a supposed increase in the numbers.
Dr. Eugene K. Dordoye, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Authority
Maternal Mental Health and Targeted District Support
Parallel efforts have focused on maternal psychosocial care, marked by the formal launch of the country’s first Maternal Mental Health Policy by the Mental Health Authority alongside the World Health Organization in Accra. BasicNeeds Ghana recently distributed office equipment to upgrade counseling spaces, addressing significant service delivery gaps for vulnerable women and girls. The intervention targets pregnant women, adolescent girls, and new mothers coping with postpartum depression, alongside survivors of gender-based violence, helping to restore their dignity and improve mental well-being through structured trauma recovery.
Professor Samuel A. Kaba, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, commended BasicNeeds Ghana for the collaboration and urged beneficiary districts to ensure proper care of the donated equipment. Researchers noted that a study published in BMC Public Health provides a portrait of maternal psychosocial health in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“not a private matter but a national asset”
Dr Eugene Dordoye, the Authority’s chief executive
Lived Experience Campaigns and Insurance Integration
Ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2026, authorities adopted the theme Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.
The campaign emphasizes incorporating individuals with direct experience of mental health conditions into policy planning, service evaluation, and public education. School-based awareness campaigns led by people with lived experience are scheduled to launch to help cultivate supportive attitudes among students.
Deputy Chief Executive of the Authority, Dr. Vivian Maame Aba Dadzie, urged stakeholders to translate the real-world experiences of individuals living with mental health conditions into meaningful decisions and actionable policies. The Mental Health Authority operates a toll-free helpline at 0800 678 678 for individuals experiencing psychological distress.
