The Psychiatric Unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) is recording a worrying rise in mental health cases, with about 15,000 outpatient department (OPD) cases reported annually.

Schizophrenia, severe depression (including postpartum depression), anxiety disorders and substance use disorders are among the top conditions treated at the facility.

For a number of years, schizophrenia has remained the leading diagnosis.

The Acting Head of the Psychiatric Unit, Dr Ruth Owusu Antwi, made this known at the launch of this 2026 Purple Month.

She said the facility continues to record a high number of cases each year.

“Every year we see close to 15,000 cases at the OPD and over 200 are admitted. They come with different diagnoses and every year we have the top 10 diagnosis but for a couple of years now our top diagnosis has been schizophrenia which is one of the severe mental disorders,” Dr Owusu Antwi noted.

She further explained that other major conditions treated include severe depression and anxiety-related disorders.

Over 50% of persons with mental health disorders are under 35 - MHA

“Among the top 10 we have severe depression which includes postpartum depression. We have anxiety disorder, substance use disorders. So we are seeing some of these cases on an annual basis, together making a total number of close to 15,000 a year,” she said.

Dr Owusu Antwi expressed concern about the age group most affected.

“One thing we observed when we did our performance review for last year was surprisingly the age category of people we’re seeing here across all the mental disorders is between 25 to around 40 thereabouts, and that is worrying because that is the workforce,” she noted.

She stressed the need for increased attention and investment in mental health services.

The Mental Health Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and various stakeholders, have designated May as "Purple Month," dedicated to mental health awareness.

JKB/AM

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