My recent visit back to my society has not been the best especially looking at our generation as compared to the older generation. The society is gradually losing its responsibilities and we, the individuals are failing as its assets. The societal support is the best therapy one could receive no matter the treatment one has received elsewhere.
Feeling welcome by the society is all that an individual needs for successful initiatives and life. But what do we see now?
The sudden unfolding story has been a gentleman who has ever taught me during infancy, now roaming about in the neighbourhood for no reason and sometimes seen in a stuporous state neatly dressed, I asked myself , has the society seen the sudden change in behaviour of one of its asset?
I decided to get closer to the honorable , observe and interact with him but there was a poor feedback.
The honorable who according to my information gathered , dropped out from the university at level 200 following an unprecedented behaviour been exhibited and was brought home.
I began to question the society, first was a close friend of the honorable.
I asked if he has noticed the change in behaviour of his friend? ‘Yes’ he said .
My follow up question, what have you done about it ?
I had a typical Ghanaian answer: “even his family has done nothing about it” said the young man. But my question was left unanswered.
My second encounter was with the honorable’s friend who happens to be a man of God. I asked, do you know about the condition of the honorable now? The obvious answer: “yes”.
My follow up question, what have you done about it?
I heard the shocker of my life, ” He is “crazy” what should I do again.
I wept within and bowed my head in shame, knowing the society is “crazy ” not him.
Why has the society left its responsibilities? Gone are the days when individuals in the society take responsibility of their health and that of others but what do we see now?
The honorable was one of the society’s biggest asset but we are losing him gradually due to our negligence as a society.
I suggested we take him to any psychiatric hospital or any hospital with a mental health wing for early intervention since the honorable can be treated and reintegrated into our society. Someone may ask where is the family of the honorable? Who is the family when the society can act based on section 42(1) of the mental health Act which backs involuntary treatment of clients.
We shall push harder for save our asset in the society.
We all have a charge to keep as a society!
Let us arise again as a society!
Long live Ghana!
ISAAC OWUSU
School of Public Health, UHAS.