Empowering Minds: AYSD's Impactful Mental Health Seminar Transforms Perspectives at West Africa Senior High School

Accra, Ghana – 27 June 2024: The African Youth for Sustainable Development (AYSD) organized a highly impactful mental health seminar at the auditorium of West Africa Senior High School, attracting a diverse audience including students, educators, and healthcare professionals. The seminar aimed to raise awareness about mental health issues among adolescents and equip them with practical strategies for maintaining mental well-being.

Opening Ceremony

The seminar began with a warm welcome from Mr. Charles Bamatman, the Dean of Students, who spoke on behalf of the Headmistress of West Africa Senior High School. Mr. Bamatman greeted attendees, including nurses from Pantang Hospital, and highlighted the collaboration between the school and AYSD.

Introduction to AYSD

Godwin, the Master of Ceremonies, introduced AYSD by discussing the organization’s vision, mission, and core values. He emphasized AYSD’s goal of empowering African youth and engaging them in sustainable development for a prosperous and inclusive society. The mission focuses on promoting sustainable development through youth empowerment, capacity building, and advocacy on critical issues such as mental health, education, and environmental sustainability.

Overview of the Day's Program

Samuel Apeti, Executive Director of AYSD, provided a brief overview of the day's program. The seminar featured four main sessions, each focusing on a critical aspect of mental health:

- Addiction Among Adolescents
- Understanding Mental Health: Basics and Importance
- Promoting Mental Health
-Anxiety Disorder
Each session aimed to educate attendees on the issues, offer practical solutions, and deepen understanding of mental health.

Session 1: Addiction Among Adolescents

Dr. Kwesi Koranteng, a resident psychiatrist at Pantang Hospital, led the first session with a comprehensive presentation on addiction among adolescents. He discussed the causes, effects, and preventive measures. Adolescents face increasing addiction issues due to peer pressure, family problems, and societal influences, leading to health problems, academic decline, and social issues. Dr. Koranteng emphasized early identification of addiction signs such as changes in behavior and social interactions. He advocated for supportive family and school environments, and engaging adolescents in healthy activities like sports and arts. Dr. Koranteng highlighted the importance of educating students and parents about the risks of substance abuse.


Session 2: Understanding Mental Health: Basics and Importance

The second session, led by Beatrice Gyampo, a Public Health Nurse at Prescott Medical Center, delved into the basics and importance of mental health. Gyampo provided an in-depth explanation, helping students understand how to maintain and improve their mental well-being. Many students lack awareness about mental health and its significance, and Gyampo provided a comprehensive overview, covering emotional, psychological, and social aspects. She stressed recognizing early signs of mental health issues like mood swings and behavior changes. Gyampo advocated for increasing awareness through education and promoting healthy lifestyles for mental well-being.

Session 3: Promoting Mental Health

Yvonne Amoako conducted the third session, focusing on strategies for promoting mental health. She shared practical tips and interventions for students to implement in their daily lives to create a positive mental health environment. Adolescents often lack strategies to maintain mental health due to stress, poor lifestyle choices, and lack of support. Amoako provided practical tips such as regular physical activity, healthy eating, and adequate sleep. She emphasized mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga, and building strong social support networks. Amoako highlighted the importance of stress management techniques and open communication with friends and family.

Session 4: Anxiety Disorder
The final session, led by Mr. Linus Makafui, addressed anxiety disorder among adolescents. He explained symptoms, causes, and coping mechanisms to help students identify and manage anxiety effectively. Anxiety disorders are common but often misunderstood. Symptoms can affect daily life, academic performance, and relationships. Makafui discussed symptoms and causes, offering coping strategies such as deep breathing exercises and cognitive-behavioral techniques. He stressed seeking professional help for diagnosis and treatment, and the role of self-care practices like physical activity and sleep.

Interactive Session

Following the presentations, an interactive session allowed students to engage with speakers, ask questions, share experiences, and seek advice on mental health issues. This session encouraged open dialogue and personalized insights from experts.

Closing Remarks

Careen Lamptey, General Manager of Top Knowledge Media, summarized the program, highlighting key points from each session. She recognized student participation and enthusiasm by presenting souvenirs to deserving students.

Dr. Shine Ofori, the Headmistress, delivered the final remarks, underscoring the importance of organizing such programs to shape students into responsible and meaningful members of society. She expressed her gratitude to AYSD executives and all resource persons for their contributions to the seminar's success.

Presentation to the School

To conclude, Samuel Apeti made a presentation to the school, symbolizing ongoing partnership and commitment to youth development.

Conclusion
The seminar concluded with students socializing with resource persons and AYSD executives, fostering community support. The mental health seminar was a success, leaving a lasting impact on students and reinforcing the importance of mental health awareness and education.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TOP KNOWLEDGE MEDIA.

Contact: toppknowledgemedia@gmail.com

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The TOP KNOWLEDGE MEDIA on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Join Top Knowledge Media Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEUCpP4NVigCMWy8J22