In an effort to spotlight adolescent mental health and address the rising psychological challenges among students, Vivahealth Medical Foundation held a high-impact outreach event at O’Reilly Senior High School in Accra on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
The programme, part of the Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness Month activities, provided education, counselling, and therapeutic support to over 500 students and staff.
Leading the technical sessions was Dr. Olivia Mawutor, a clinical psychologist with the Ghana Armed Forces, who delivered an address on the growing epidemic of substance abuse in senior high schools.
Of particular concern, she noted, is the dangerous rise in the use of synthetic drugs—specifically a substance known on the streets as “Wonim Red.”
“We are seeing a troubling rise in the abuse of synthetic substances like ‘Wonim Red’ among adolescents. This is not just a public health issue; it’s a national emergency,” Dr Mawutor said emphatically.
“It’s time we empower our schools and homes to identify the early warning signs of addiction, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder, before it’s too late.”
Her interactive session empowered both students and teachers with tools to recognise behavioural red flags and provided guidance on how to approach and support distressed individuals.
The outreach was officially opened and closed by the Foundation’s co-founder, Lt Col Dr. Carl Nutsugah, an ENT specialist at the 37 Military Hospital.
He called for a national shift in how mental health is perceived—especially among young people.
“Mental health must be treated with the same urgency as physical health. We cannot continue to allow stigma and silence to keep our children from getting the help they need.
We are proud to announce that O’Reilly Senior High School has now been adopted by Vivahealth Medical Foundation. This means clinical psychologists will be visiting the school periodically to provide free therapy and counselling for all students and staff.”
The outreach included private therapy sessions led by Mrs. Ewurasi Mante, a seasoned banker and clinical psychologist, who offered one-on-one counselling to 15 students—many of whom were speaking to a mental health professional for the first time.
As part of its advocacy strategy , the Foundation donated posters and flyers to be mounted at vantage points around the campus. These materials are designed to serve as constant visual reminders that support is always available.
Behind the scenes, the event was seamlessly coordinated by the Foundation’s Mental Health Projects Lead, affectionately known as “Madam Mental.” Though organising remotely, her efforts were widely praised by school authorities and participants for their meticulous execution.
Other key members included Dr. Philemon Dabrah, a general practitioner from 37 Military Hospital, and Leslie Agbagbah, a disease control officer with the Ghana Health Service.
For many students, the outreach was deeply personal and transformative. A second-year student shared anonymously:
“I’ve been feeling lost for months, but after speaking to one of the psychologists today, I feel hopeful for the first time in a long while.”
The Headmaster of O’Reilly SHS Francis Aniagyei expressed gratitude for the initiative and said the school looks forward to a lasting partnership with the Foundation.
“Our students now know they’re not alone. That message alone can save lives.”
With plans underway to replicate this model in other senior high schools across Ghana, Vivahealth Medical Foundation remains committed to making mental health care visible, accessible, and stigma-free—one school at a time.
