In the first half of 2026, Ghana recorded a 20% increase in depression cases compared with the same period in 2025, the Mental Health Authority said on Thursday. The rise, it added, is largely due to heightened reporting by individuals seeking help and the expansion of reporting across the country.
Dr. Eugene K. Dordoye, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, noted that 11,917 health facilities now report mental health cases, up from 11,322 the previous year. He said the jump of 595 cases reflects the broader reach of services and the growing willingness of people to seek professional care.
The Authority identified schizophrenia, delusional disorders, epilepsy, depression, bipolar disorder and alcohol‑related mental health disorders as the five leading conditions reported between 2024 and 2026. Dr. Dordoye also highlighted that the inclusion of several key mental health conditions under the National Health Insurance Scheme has encouraged more patients to seek care at health facilities.
"This increase is definitely a bit around a 20% increase. 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. And that is what explains partly why the increase in depression has been observed," he said.
He added that the trend is expected to continue for a few more years before stabilising. In line with World Mental Health Day on October 10, the Authority will launch school‑based mental health awareness campaigns featuring people with lived experience under the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”
These activities aim to demonstrate the importance of real‑life accounts in deepening understanding of mental health and shaping attitudes, support systems, policy interventions, care and recovery.
