Alcohol use disorder has emerged as the leading mental health issue among officers in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). According to Major General Thomas Oppong-Prempeh, the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), 70 percent of those affected are male.

Annually, the GAF records around 1,300 cases of mental health disorders, a trend that has been consistent since 2021. In response, the CDS has directed the Department of Medical Services to implement initiatives to reduce these numbers.

Speaking at the conclusion of GAF Men’s Mental Awareness Week in Accra, themed “Promoting the Mental Health of Men in Gender-Sensitive Armed Forces,” Major General Oppong-Prempeh highlighted the rise in mental health cases since 2017. By the end of 2019, 614 cases were recorded among both male and female personnel. However, post-COVID-19 data shows a significant increase, averaging around 1,300 cases per year from 2021 to 2023, with males constituting approximately 70 percent of these cases.

He expressed concern that alcohol use disorder tops the list of mental health issues within the military. Major General Oppong-Prempeh emphasized that mental health is a topic that has been rarely discussed in the military, but he assured that this would change.

He also addressed the serious implications of the stigma associated with mental health disorders, including suicidal tendencies. Despite a high suicide rate, there are fewer reported cases of depression among men, which he attributed to societal gender roles that place excessive pressure on men.

The CDS called on GAF personnel to support each other and to avoid substance abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, gambling, and unnecessary spending, urging them to manage their finances better to lead healthier lives.

Source by www.ghanaweb.com