Stigma, Discrimination, and Social Exclusion of the Mentally Ill: the Case of Ghana

Abstract

The authors examine treatment and society’s perception of mental illness through the lenses of stigma, discrimination and social exclusion, and human rights. We argue that being diagnosed with mental illness in a developing country has a significant impact on virtually every area of one’s life. The challenges faced by individuals with mental illness in Ghana are due to the prevailing culture and societal practices that tend to stigmatize, discriminate, and socially exclude these individuals from living normal lives. The lack of resources and political will continue to compound this problem. The paper argues for the importance of embracing individual, cultural and institutional training and change in attitudes, perceptions, and funding of services to address these issues of mental illness.