Mental health

News, Virtual University

Mental Health Should Form Part of Workplace Assessment, Psychologists Advise

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Mental health assessment should form part of workplace employee screening and support systems because psychological well-being can have a direct impact on productivity, relationships and performance, two clinical psychologists have advised. Dr Isaac Newman Arthur and Linda Dede Ahulu made the call when they appeared on Springboard, Your Virtual University, hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran, where they discussed the influence of the mind on human behaviour, performance and achievement. According to Dr Arthur, organisations often assess employees for physical health conditions but pay little attention to their mental well-being, even though psychological challenges can affect how people function at work. He said mental health assessments could help organisations better understand their employees, improve placement, identify areas where support may be needed and develop appropriate mental health policies. Dr Arthur disclosed that an assessment he conducted for one organisation found that about 54% of the team members were sufficiently angry to potentially act inappropriately at work. He explained that such assessments were not intended to victimize employees or provide grounds for dismissal, but to give organisations a clearer understanding of the psychological state of their workforce and the interventions that may be required. “It’s confidential,” he said, explaining that organisations could receive a general picture of the team’s psychosocial environment without being given individuals’ private medical information. He said organisations needed to recognise that people come to the workplace with different backgrounds and experiences, some of which may affect their ability to cope with pressure, form relationships, regulate their emotions and achieve goals. Dr Arthur identified six areas that can be affected by a person’s mental state: the ability to cope and adjust to life situations, form and maintain meaningful relationships, develop healthy perceptions of people and events, live independently, achieve meaningful goals and contribute to society. He said these factors could influence how employees respond to authority, colleagues, responsibilities and workplace demands. Linda Dede Ahulu, also a clinical psychologist, said relatives and other people close to individuals experiencing difficulties had an important role to play by encouraging them to seek professional help. She noted that mental health challenges often affect more than a person’s work, extending to relationships and other areas of life. According to her, people experiencing psychological difficulties may not always recognise that they need help because they have become accustomed to living with their challenges. She also identified stigma as a major barrier to seeking mental health support, saying some people were more comfortable being identified with physical illnesses than with mental health conditions. Madam Lynda stressed that seeking psychological help should not be viewed negatively, noting that people could experience significant improvement after receiving appropriate support. The discussion also highlighted the influence of childhood experiences on adult behaviour. Dr Arthur explained that a person’s development is shaped by a combination of genetic factors, socialization and experiences within their environment. He said experiences from childhood can influence how people regulate emotions, respond to stress and interact with others later in life. However, both psychologists stressed that a person’s current condition does not have to determine their future. Madam Lynda said there was always a possibility for change and encouraged people who recognise that they need help to seek it, while Dr Arthur similarly urged individuals to examine their lives and seek professional assistance where necessary, saying that healing could change how a person thinks about life and improve their ability to function. Watch full episode here…. https://www.youtube.com/live/CSRsp4Hpz0Y?si=ZaeimDjERxqVcAks About Springboard, Your Virtual University Springboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast produced by the Springboard Road Show Foundation and hosted by Pastor Albert Ocran. The broadcast airs every Sunday at 7 PM on  Joy 99.7 FM and on Springboard Channel (YouTube)  and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. Marketing & Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

Hangout, News

Mental Health Challenges Should Not Be Treated as Weakness, Psychologist Says

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Counselling Psychologist and Mental Wellness Professional, Jaclyn Essien, has called for a change in how mental health challenges are understood and discussed in Ghana, saying people should not be made to feel weak or ashamed for seeking help. According to her, societal pressure, cultural beliefs and fear of judgement continue to prevent many people from speaking openly about what they are experiencing emotionally and mentally. Speaking on Springboard Hangout with host Comfort Ocran, Madam Jaclyn said many people had grown up being encouraged to suppress their emotions, with some being told to simply pray about their problems and move on because others were facing worse situations. She said this approach had contributed to a culture where people often suffer quietly rather than seek the support they need. “People feel like when they open up about their mental health, they feel a bit of shame. They feel like they’re going to be misunderstood. They’re going to be judged,” she said. The Counselling Psychologist said the situation could be addressed through regular mental health education in workplaces, communities, churches and other settings where people could learn to understand mental and emotional well-being. She also called on organisations to provide safe spaces where employees could discuss mental health concerns without fear of judgement, suggesting that workplaces could have dedicated psychological support services. The Mental Wellness Professional explained that mental health involved understanding how the mind works, managing stress and anxiety, regulating emotions and dealing with unresolved experiences that could affect a person’s life. According to her, one of the difficulties with mental health challenges is that people could appear fine externally while dealing with significant emotional struggles internally. Madam Jaclyn identified sudden withdrawal from social activities, loss of concentration, emotional exhaustion, mood swings, changes in appetite, and loss of motivation as some signs that a person may be experiencing an emotional or mental health challenge. She, however, cautioned that such changes should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a mental health condition, stressing the importance of communicating with the person and checking on their well-being. “Checking in on that friend, checking in on that colleague,” she advised, adding that people should ask deeper questions about how others were doing instead of being satisfied with a simple “I’m fine.” She further explained that unresolved childhood experiences could continue to affect adults, particularly through their relationships, communication, anger, and emotional triggers. According to her, people who are still affected by painful childhood experiences should acknowledge them and seek professional support where necessary instead of ignoring them. For individuals dealing with trauma, she recommended constant support, professional counselling and, where appropriate, spending time in environments where they feel safe and connected. She recommended self-reflection, regular exercise, healthy eating habits, planning daily activities, changing one’s environment when necessary and speaking positively to oneself as some practical ways of supporting mental wellness. In her closing message, she urged people to reject societal expectations that men must always be strong, women must suppress their emotions, and young people must achieve success quickly. “Don’t suffer in silence. Speak to someone about the issue,” she said. Watch full episode here….https://www.youtube.com/live/_8N8ot0n0qs?si=2los1vNg0HTAvBP1 About Springboard Hangout Springboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centred show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences aimed at educating, entertaining, and equipping the next generation. The programme airs every Saturday at 4:00 PM on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel on Facebook and YouTube. Marketing & Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

Virtual University

Family System Under Threat as Experts Call for Urgent Parenting and Moral Reorientation

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Family life educators and mental health professionals have raised alarm over what they describe as a growing crisis within the family system, warning that rising dysfunction, weakened moral values, communication breakdowns, sexual abuse, and untreated mental health challenges are undermining the foundation of society. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University with Rev. Albert Ocran, Family Life Educator and President of Fruitful Ministries International, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kisseaddo, and Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Lynda Dede Ahulu, both underscored the urgent need for intentional parenting, moral reorientation, and open dialogue within families. Rev. Dr. Kisseaddo said the family institution is under pressure “on all fronts,” attributing the strain to rising selfishness, individualism, and the erosion of shared values. He noted that the original concept of family was built on unity and togetherness, but modern dynamics are increasingly driven by competition and self-centeredness. “If a person does not aim at unity, then you are not functioning as God intended,” he said, stressing that the loss of togetherness threatens the core purpose of the family unit. He described marriage as fundamentally a sexual relationship that requires proper education and moral instruction, warning that the absence of structured sex education within families has led to distortions in sexuality and instability in marriages. According to him, unregulated sexual passion can destabilize families, calling for a national crusade on sex education for young people. “The strongest passion in the human body is sex, and if it is not properly guided, the family is threatened from its very foundation,” he stated. Rev. Dr. Kisseaddo further pointed to moral decline, distractions, and external influences as contributors to the weakening of families, adding that historical societal collapses often begin with the breakdown of family structures. He urged a return to intentional parenting practices, including family meetings, structured engagement, and spiritual guidance. Licensed Clinical Psychologist Lynda Dede Ahulu also highlighted significant strains on the family unit, citing poor communication, parental unavailability, trauma, and untreated mental health conditions as major factors. She noted that the family plays a central role in shaping both individuals and society. “The family has the propensity to impact both its members and society. If society is unhealthy, look at the family unit,” she said. Ms. Ahulu identified communication breakdown between parents and children as a key indicator of a family in distress, noting that many children no longer feel safe confiding in their parents. As a result, parents often remain unaware of critical issues such as sexual abuse, substance use, bullying, and emotional struggles. She also pointed to excessive phone use and digital distractions as barriers to meaningful family interaction. She further discussed the psychological impact of childhood trauma and generational patterns of dysfunction, explaining that unresolved trauma can influence behaviour across generations. According to her, abuse, neglect, depression, and emotional unavailability can shape future relationship patterns if not addressed. Ms. Ahulu also listed depression, suicidal ideation, financial stress, infertility challenges, neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, and societal pressures regarding the gender of children as stressors that place additional strain on marriages and family systems. Both experts emphasized the need for intentional parenting, ethical grounding, education, and open communication to rebuild resilient families. Rev. Dr. Kisseaddo stressed that marriage and parenting require preparation and continuous effort, describing marriage as a process rather than a finished product. “Marriage is not a finished product. It depends on what you put into it,” he said. About Springboard, Your Virtual University Springboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboard Channel (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. Springboard Road Show Foundation Marketing and Communications Genevieve Mensah

Springboard Road Show 2025

Springboard Road Show 2025 – Chiefs, MCEs, and Youth Unite to Champion Agriculture and Enterprise

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From the Upper West to the Ahafo and Bono East regions, the Springboard Road Show 2025 is igniting a wave of energy, hope, and empowerment among Ghana’s youth. The nationwide tour, running under the Ghana Grows programme, has drawn thousands of participants to its regional stops in Wa, Techiman, and Bechem, uniting traditional leaders, municipal executives, educators, and young entrepreneurs behind one shared vision, to transform agriculture, skills, and enterprise into engines of national growth. Now in its most ambitious edition yet, the Road Show is touring all 16 regions of Ghana, targeting over 500,000 young people, including young women and persons with disabilities. Each stop reflects the heartbeat of Ghana’s regions, distinct youth voices in one mission: to build a generation ready to grow. In the Upper West Region, the Road Show’s stop at the Wa Technical Institute was a blend of culture and purpose. Chiefs, opinion leaders, and the children of the esteemed Yaa Naa lent their presence in symbolic support of youth development. Alhaji Issah Nurah Danwanaa, Municipal Chief Executive for Wa, highlighted agriculture and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) as critical levers for sustainable development. “Together, let us drive agriculture and ATVET as the engines of youth and women empowerment for regional development,” Hon. Danwanaa urged. His remarks echoed the government’s commitment to revitalizing Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II and aligning TVET reforms with industry and agribusiness opportunities. The event underscored the growing synergy between traditional leadership, local governance, and national programmes in ensuring that young people, especially in northern Ghana, are equipped with the skills and confidence to lead. In the Bono East Region, the Springboard youth conference found expression at Techiman, where Hon. Kwaku Adjei Mensah, the Municipal Chief Executive, rallied young people to see agriculture not as a fallback, but as a frontier of innovation and enterprise. “Agriculture remains one of the most promising sectors for our youth,” he said. “It offers vast potential for innovation, employment, and enterprise.” The event spotlighted the intersection of mental health, mentorship, and entrepreneurship, with participants engaging in sessions on resilience and business start-ups. Members of the Ghana Grows Girls Club shared their success stories, including Ellen Anyaki, who turned e-mentoring and food processing lessons into a thriving garlic and ginger paste business, and Haggar Sackey, founder of Evert & Co., a youth-led soap production venture now training senior high school students. These stories personify the transformation Springboard seeks, from passive job seekers to proactive creators of value. At Bechem in the Ahafo Region, the traditional voice took centre stage. The Chief of Bechem, Nana Opaw Nwomaso Boampong Bekoe, called on government to expand support for agriculture, agribusiness, and ATVET programmes, describing them as “the true pathways to national wealth creation.” “When you go to Kumasi, most of the big houses belong to farmers,” he said. “These are the kinds of programmes the government should sponsor because they prepare young people to create real value.” The Bechem gathering featured hundreds of youths eager to learn from the success of Ghana Grows participants like Esther, who after attending the Empower360 Resin Arts Training in Accra, launched her own business and now mentors others. Hon. Charity Gardiner, Ahafo Regional Minister, commended the Foundation for its focus on young women in agriculture, noting that nearly 80% of participants in Ghana Grows are female, breaking traditional barriers in agribusiness and entrepreneurship. Across Wa, Techiman, and Bechem, one truth stands out, the Springboard Road Show 2025 is more than a series of events; it is a national awakening. It connects policy with people, and inspiration with opportunity, reshaping how young people see their potential. Under the leadership of Comfort Ocran, Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation, and Albert Ocran, Technical Director, the movement blends storytelling, mentorship, and enterprise development into a transformative model for youth inclusion and empowerment. “True capital begins with what’s in your hands,” Comfort Ocran reminds participants. “Diligence, integrity, and tenacity build businesses that last.” As the 16-region tour continues, the Road Show is cultivating a new generation of purpose-driven changemakers, young people who are not just dreaming of the future, but building it, one skill, one business, and one community at a time. Marketing and Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

Career Clinic

Ghana Grows Career Clinic Highlights the Power of Time Management for Personal Growth and Legacy

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Friday’s Ghana Grows Career Clinic was nothing short of transformative as Dr. Isaac Newman Arthur unpacked the powerful link between time management, mental health, and purpose. He reminded participants that time is more than hours ticking away, it unfolds in moments of opportunity, seasons of growth, and a lifetime that God has set for impact. “Lifetime is set by God so that meaningful events can happen to your life,” he explained, urging everyone to value each season because wasting one can disrupt the next. While some time slips away unintentionally, Dr. Newman emphasized that we still have the power to take charge. The key lies in setting goals and focusing on what matters most. “You are more effective if you prioritize than when you don’t prioritize,” he said. He painted a vivid picture of a future where people pay not for the hours in your day, but for the years you’ve invested in becoming valuable. Time management, he stressed, is inseparable from wellbeing. Poorly managed time often manifests as stress, anxiety, burnout, or poor health. True wellbeing, according to Dr. Newman, rests on four pillars: physical fitness, mental soundness, social competence, and spiritual strength. He urged participants to reflect honestly, practice genuine self-care, and embrace continuous learning. “Unforgiveness is one of the delays of time,” he cautioned. “When you fix time for yourself and you heal yourself, then you have the capacity to impact the world.” To students, his advice was direct: “If you’re a student, only two things are important: God and school.” To entrepreneurs and leaders, he emphasized the need to build systems that outlive them. And to all, he left this challenge: “If leisure does not maximize your output in life, it is useless leisure.” By the end of the session, one truth stood out clearly: time is shaping our future, our health, and our legacy. Or, as Dr. Newman summed it up powerfully: “If you’re doing well, you will do well!” Once again, the Ghana Grows Career Clinic proved to be a wake-up call to live intentionally, guard our wellbeing, and use time wisely to create impact that lasts. About Ghana Grows Career Clinic Ghana Grows Career Clinic is a weekly webinar series designed to equip young people with the skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to thrive in work and life. Held every Friday at 4:00 PM, the sessions bring together expert facilitators, practical training, and interactive discussions on a variety of topics. By Genevieve Mensah

Hangout

“When You Know Who You Are, You Can’t Be Broken” – Gloria Sianorkie Odue

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Clinical Psychologist Gloria Sianorkie Odue says having a clear sense of personal identity is one of the strongest anchors for mental health, especially for women dealing with societal pressure and unresolved trauma. Speaking on Springboard Hangout with Lady Comfort Ocran, she explained that many people struggle with anxiety, confusion, and low self-worth because they haven’t taken time to define who they are and what they stand for. The conversation was part of the ongoing Her Mind Matters series, which explores the real-life issues that affect women emotionally, mentally, and socially. “There’s who you are and there’s what society expects you to be,” she said. “When the two don’t align, the pressure can break you, unless you are grounded in your identity and confident in your personal journey.” She explained that identity includes a person’s values, beliefs, and personal story. And without that clarity, people are easily swayed by timelines and expectations set by others. “Somebody may ask, ‘Why are you not married yet?’ and it can break you, unless you know yourself, where you’re going, and what season you’re in.” She noted that many women lose their confidence through repeated negative self-talk. “Statements like ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I don’t deserve to be loved’ often come from past trauma. But if you feed those thoughts, they grow. You have to learn to reject them with affirmations, speak truth back to yourself.” The clinical psychologist encouraged listeners to take time for deep personal reflection, especially when dealing with people-pleasing habits, emotional triggers, or lack of confidence. “Ask yourself: Why am I like this? Where did it begin? What can I start changing? That level of honesty is a strength, not weakness.” To support mental wellbeing, she recommended practical interventions such as writing down positive moments, filtering what you read and watch, and taking breaks for quiet reflection. “Whatever you feed yourself with, mentally and emotionally, is what comes out.” About Springboard HangoutSpringboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centered show hosted by Lady Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences to educate, entertain, and equip the next generation.