Mental health continues to be a contentious issue in our society. It is considered a stigma even though at least one in three people would experience some kind of a mental illness in the course of their lives. Despite these figures mental illness appears to rouse negativity thus isolating the mentally ill to a sub human category. I recall an incident during the Ghana at 50 celebrations when comments were made about “removing the lunatics from the streets”. Comments which were both insensitive and derogatory. It demonstrates the lack of understanding about mental illness. The irony is the fact that mental health embraces all aspects of health, from general medicine, child health, internal medicine, hematology, oncology, gynecology and of course, neuropsychiatry. Our ignorance may be borne by the fact that mental illness is usually accompanied by negative media. Thus, there is an increasing need for a medium to engage in intellectual discourse on mental health issues.
The birth of this new journal is long overdue and we have made attempts to present mental health to reflect its diversity and complexity. The topics for the issue cover range of areas from depression, treatment approaches, cultural identity, dementia, acquired dyslexia, policy and aggression. The issue includes original articles as well as literature reviews. It is our hope to include a section on grand rounds, case studies and correspondence in future. The journal will be published bi-annually in April and November.
Many colleagues have been instrumental in ensuring the success of this new journal, and I would remiss if I did not acknowledge them; Professor Danquah, Sheriffa Mahama and Dr. Adam Danquah – they have worked tirelessly for a long time to develop this journal. They have provided such invaluable service; they all deserve our appreciation. We thank the members of the editorial board for reviewing the manuscripts and submitting their reviews expeditiously. The journal has received such an enthusiastic welcome that we cannot fail. As reflected in Dr. Osei’s commentary, “this new day has dawned on us “and we must ensure its s survival; we shall keep it current and alive for a long time to come; we will build on it. This journal, unlike some other African journals is here to stay. It will surpass us all and history will remember you, the Editorial Board for seeing to the sustainability of this auspicious journal.
We encourage and invite submissions related to all aspects of mental health; research, reviews, commentaries and short correspondence. Although we cannot promise to publish every work submitted, we will at the very least, work with you to maintain high standards. It is our hope that this new mouthpiece on mental health becomes part of any professional journals found anywhere in the world. I invite your participation of this worthy cause.
C. Charles Mate-KoleEditor-In-Chief
Professor of Psychology
University of Ghana, Legon