We Cannot Wait for Young People to Break Before We Care – Mental Wellness Advocate Calls for Early Support
Ghana Records Rising Suicide-Related Deaths as New Campaign Urges Early Mental Health Intervention
ACCRA, Ghana – Mental wellness advocates are calling for urgent action to address the growing emotional and mental health challenges facing young people in Ghana, warning that society often pays attention only after a crisis has occurred.
According to figures cited from the Ghana Mental Health Authority, Ghana recorded 134 suicide-related deaths in 2024, representing a 40 percent increase over the previous year. In the first half of 2025, an additional 175 deaths and hundreds of attempted cases were reported, raising concerns about the wellbeing of young people across the country.
Speaking on the issue, Kwame Owusu Ansah, Founder of Snuggli Health, said many young Ghanaians are struggling silently with financial difficulties, academic pressure, unemployment concerns, family expectations, relationship challenges and social media comparisons while appearing outwardly successful.
“Many young people are functioning, smiling and showing up every day, but internally they are overwhelmed. We cannot continue waiting until they break before we listen,” he stated.
Young People Often Suffer in Silence
Mental health advocates argue that emotional distress among young people is frequently dismissed or normalised. Expressions of stress, burnout and anxiety are often met with advice to simply “manage” or “keep going,” rather than receiving meaningful support.
According to Mr. Ansah, many young people communicate their struggles indirectly through phrases such as “my head is full,” “I’m tired of everything,” or “I’m just there,” while others hide their pain behind humour, social media posts and the popular expression “we move.”
He noted that while resilience is important, silent suffering should not be mistaken for strength.
Check-In Ghana Campaign Launched
To encourage early intervention, Snuggli Health has launched Check-In Ghana, a youth-focused mental wellness campaign aimed at encouraging young people to regularly assess their emotional wellbeing before challenges escalate into crises.
The campaign promotes a simple but critical question:
“How am I really doing?”
Organisers say the initiative seeks to make conversations about mental wellbeing more relatable and accessible, particularly for students, graduates, young professionals and others facing daily pressures.
Digital Platform Targets Early Support
As part of the initiative, Snuggli Health is developing Snuggli, a digital mental wellbeing platform designed specifically for African youth.
The platform includes features such as mood tracking, journaling, voice journaling, personalised wellness journeys, crisis support resources and a trusted-contact feature known as Soft Circle. It also incorporates Araba, an AI-powered wellness companion intended to help users reflect on their emotions in a private and non-judgmental environment.
Developers say the platform is not intended to replace professional mental healthcare services but rather serve as an early support tool for young people who may not yet be ready to seek formal counselling.
Call for Earlier Action
Mental health advocates are urging families, educational institutions, faith communities and policymakers to prioritise preventive mental health support rather than responding only after tragedies occur.
They argue that universities, workplaces and communities must create environments where young people feel comfortable discussing emotional challenges before reaching a breaking point.
“A student should not have to collapse under pressure before support arrives, and a family should not have to experience loss before recognising the importance of mental health,” Mr. Ansah said.
The Bottom Line
The Check-In Ghana campaign is encouraging young people to take their emotional wellbeing seriously by regularly checking in with themselves and seeking support when needed.
As conversations around mental health continue to grow in Ghana, campaign organisers say the focus must shift from reacting to crises to preventing them.
“Check in before it gets heavier,” the campaign message states.
By: Dennis Awuni | Our Democracy News
Source: Kwame Owusu Ansah, Founder, Snuggli Health
