The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, has urged personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to eschew mental health stigmatization, especially among men.
He emphasized the devastating consequences of stigma, including skyrocketing rates of suicide and reluctance to seek help.
He made these remarks during the GAF Men's Mental Health Conference, held on Wednesday, 10 July 2024, at Burma Hall, aimed at "promoting the gender health of men in a gender-sensitive Armed Forces".
Lieutenant General Oppong-Peprah attributed the stigma to societal expectations of male gender which often discourage them from expressing their emotions freely. He urged men to speak out and support each other in seeking help without fear or favour.
He also directed all Commands, Formations and units to conduct regular mental health screening programs across all services.
