On Friday, 9th August, 2024, The Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly organized a sensitization forum for the staff of the Assembly. The Forum was under the theme “Mental Health – Stress“. The forum aimed to raise awareness about mental health issues, particularly the link between stress and mental wellbeing, and to provide staff with effective strategies to manage stress.

The event was attended by C. K. O. Opoku ( Municipal Cordinating Director), Lydia Gyimah ( Deputy Director), and the heads of departments and staff. The guest speaker for the occasion was, Madam Vida Prah, the director of Psychologist at Effia Nkwanta Hospital, Takoradi. The primary objectives were to educate staff on the importance of mental health, to identify common sources of stress in the work place and to provide practical stress management techniques.

The forum commenced with a keynote address by Madam Vida Prah who emphasized the significance of mental health in the workplace and highlighted the impact of stress on productivity and overall well-being, urging staff to prioritize their mental health. She continued by defining  stress, highlighting the causes and effects on both physical and mental health. Madam Vida Prah used real-life examples to illustrate how stress can manifests. She, further went on to provided practical tips and techniques for managing stress. These included mindfulness exercises, time management strategies and the importance of maintaining a work-life  balance. 

Overall, the sensitization program successfully deepened the participants understanding of mental health, how stress is linked to it and the necessary tools to manage it effectively. The program was concluded with a closing remarks from Madam Esther (Head of Information). She expressed gratitude to the speaker Madam Vida Prah and the participants as well.