Dangana Foundation, a Ghana-based organisation known for its strong advocacy and programmes on mental health, has held its first mental health awareness session at Mount Sinai Senior High School in Akropong, drawing around 2,000 pupils and staff to a programme focused on the importance of mental wellbeing among young people.
The session was led by the foundation’s founder, Nashiru Momori, together with Peter Hasler, a UK-based mental health nurse consultant. It explored the idea that pupils’ mental health matters just as much as their physical health, and that mental distress can affect students’ wellbeing, producing anxiety and stress that undermine their ability to learn and thrive.
NASHIRU MOMORI-Founder,Dangana Foundation
PETER HASLER – Mental Health Nurse
At the heart of the session were five steps to mental wellbeing: connecting with others, being physically active, keeping learning, giving to others through small acts of kindness, and taking notice through mindfulness. Each step was presented as a practical, everyday habit that pupils can adopt to look after their emotional health.
Advertisement
Pupils were also encouraged to reflect on their values and on what really matters in their lives. The session underlined that an individual’s behaviour — bullying in particular — can have a profound effect on others, not only in the short term but across a lifetime.
Beyond the single event, the Dangana Foundation committed to an ongoing programme of support over the coming years. This will be delivered in partnership with other groups and individuals who can bring their own expertise to the school, creating a “roadmap” for pupils aimed at improving their mental wellbeing and building their confidence in life. An agreement is to be signed to formalise the commitment to the continuing programme.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition that schools are not only places of academic instruction but also key settings for emotional development, and that early support can shape how young people cope with pressure and relate to one another for years to come.
