Samuel Boaten impacts mental health significantly in Ghana

Samuel Kwakye Boaten’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to making a difference in mental health in Ghana. Through his tireless efforts, he not only changed the narrative about mental health but also inspired many to join him in the creation of a more inclusive and supportive society. As the Country Director of Clubhouse Ghana and as the Officer in charge of the Mental Health Unit at Oda Hospital, Samuel significantly impacts mental health awareness and the delivery of quality services.

Samuel’s journey from Ghana to Australia also marked the beginning of a transformative chapter in his own life with his completion of an Australia Awards Africa short course in Mental Health in 2019 at the University of Queensland. As a registered nurse and with his dedication to mental health the course allowed Samuel to delve deeper into the complexities of mental health in the public health context.

During his time in Australia, Samuel’s exposure to innovative approaches in mental health care left an indelible mark on him. During a field visit to Stepping Stone Clubhouse in Brisbane the Program’s  Director in charge of the centre, Jaimi Rogers, explained in details how the Clubhouse Model (a psychosocial rehabilitation model) operates. This was a huge inspiration for Samuel.

Establishing Clubhouse Ghana

Upon his return to Ghana, Samuel swiftly put his newfound knowledge into action. With unwavering determination, he collaborated with like-minded individuals such as Mona Lisa Brookshire, the Chief Executive Officer of ML4LYFE, a US-based company, to establish the Clubhouse Ghana, a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centre at Oyarifa in the Accra region. Before launching the Centre, the founding group planned to receive training from Clubhouse International, however, the COVID-19 Pandemic delayed their plans.  In July 2021 the group of six eventually completed their training.

With the financial support of a unanimous Ghanaian partner the centre was finally launched in December 2021. This establishment quickly became a beacon of hope for individuals grappling with psychosocial issues as it offers more than just treatment – it offers a comprehensive pathway to empowerment and independence for those who need it the most. Despite many challenges such as limited funding and the absence of a facility to house people with mental illness, Samuel and his partners persevered and he became the Country Director of Clubhouse Ghana. Securing a treatment facility was important to prevent further stigmatisation from community members and to optimise their rehabilitation.

“The Clubhouse Ghana is not just about rehabilitation, but about total reintegration into the community through social skills and vocational skills training programs such as bead making, hairdressing, and dressmaking so that the individuals are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in society ”, says Samuel.

The Centre also partnered with the Ministry of Health and Education to offer formal schooling to those that need it while the centre also address the challenges of community reintegration of those who completed treatment in psychiatric hospitals and return to the community. The Centre serves as a bridge between the hospitals and the community by addressing the educational, housing and employments needs of the patients (referred to as members by the Clubhouse) after their discharge. Temporal accommodation for participants during training ensures that they can concentrate completely on the training.

The Clubhouse Centre’s impact is profound with 24 members currently enrolled in the program. Five participants successfully completed the vocational training, are now self-employed and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Samuel’s role at Oda Hospital

In addition to serving as the Country Director for Clubhouse Ghana, Samuel is also the Officer in charge of the Mental Health Unit at Oda Hospital where his responsibilities include the coordination of all mental health activities in Birim Central Municipal. He is responsible for implementing the Mental Health Board’s policies at district level, monitors and supervises the implementation of programs, and supports the district mental health facilities.  As part of Samuel’s commitment to the promotion of mental and community well-being he leads the collaborative efforts to educate the  public on mental health issues such as the causes and prevention of mental health conditions, stress management and drug addictions. He advocates for? the rights of mental health patients and assists them to access the National Health Insurance and to connect to community resources such as the Social Welfare Department. All these efforts also contribute to reduce the stigma around mental health.

Future plans

According to Samuel, the Centre’s future plans includes providing comprehensive support to those in need and by ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life. To this end, he hopes to provide direct physical and psychosocial support through training and vocational rehabilitation programs for 60 mentally-challenged individuals over the next two years. Their overall goal is to equip members with the skills and resources to improve their quality of life and foster their independence while creating a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive.

Samuel and other staff outside the Clubhouse Ghana building (Photo: Clubhouse Ghana website)