By Lt Col Dr Carl Nutsugah
Accra, Ghana – May 22, 2025
In a powerful bid to promote adolescent mental health and raise awareness about rising
psychological challenges among students, Vivahealth Medical Foundation held a transformative
outreach at O’Reilly Senior High School in Accra on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The initiative
forms part of the Foundation’s activities to mark Mental Health Awareness Month, and was centered on providing education, counselling, and therapeutic support for both students and staff.
At the heart of the outreach was Dr. Olivia Mawutor, a respected clinical psychologist with the
Ghana Armed Forces, who led the technical sessions. Speaking to a packed auditorium of over 500
students and teachers, she drew urgent attention to the growing trend of drug addiction in senior
high schools, specifically highlighting the emerging and dangerous substance abuse wave dubbed
the “Wonim Red” pandemic.
“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.”
She emphasized the critical importance of early intervention and the role of educators and peers in
recognizing behavioral changes that might indicate deeper emotional struggles. Her interactive session included demonstrations on how to approach a distressed student, how to refer them for
professional help, and how to foster a supportive environment in schools.
The event was officially opened and closed by the Foundation’s co-founder, Lt Col Dr. Carl
Nutsugah, who is also an ENT specialist at the 37 Military Hospital. In his impassioned remarks,
he stressed the urgency of overcoming stigma associated with mental illness, especially among teenagers.
“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,” Lt Col Dr. Nutsugah said. “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 Foundation’s impact extended beyond talks. Mrs. Ewurasi Mante, a seasoned banker and
certified clinical psychologist, also joined the outreach and conducted one-on-one counselling and
therapy sessions for 15 students, many of whom had never spoken to a psychologist before.
As part of their advocacy strategy, the Foundation donated mental health flyers and posters to be
mounted at vantage points across the campus. These materials are designed to serve as visual
reminders and resource points for students and teachers alike.
Behind the seamless coordination of the outreach was the Foundation’s Mental Health Projects
Lead, affectionately known as “Madam Mental.” Despite organizing remotely, her behind-the
scenes work ensured that the entire program ran with surgical precision—an effort that was openly
commended by school authorities and participants.
Other key members of the Vivahealth team included Dr. Philemon Dabrah, a general practitioner
from the 37 Military Hospital, and Leslie Agbagbah, a disease control officer with the Ghana
Health Service. Both professionals lent their expertise to logistical planning and offered additional
mental health support and guidance during breakout sessions.
In a post-event reflection, many students expressed gratitude for the initiative. A second-year
student, who wished to remain anonymous, shared,
“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 Headmistress of O’Reilly SHS, lauded the Foundation for their effort and said he looks forward to a long-term partnership.
“Our students now know that they are not alone. That message alone can save lives.”
With plans to replicate this model across other senior high schools in Ghana, Vivahealth Medical Foundation continues to affirm its commitment to ensuring that mental health is prioritized,
destigmatized, and accessible to all—one school at a time.
About Vivahealth Medical Foundation Vivahealth Medical Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering quality healthcare, medical education, and outreach services across Ghana, especially in underservedcommunities. Through mental health campaigns, medical missions, and youth-focused interventions, the Foundation is making significant strides in bridging the health access gap.
For more information, visit
www.vivahealthmedfoundation.org
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