Selezionare le date di viaggio per vedere i prezzi

Eccezionale 4.90rating (1435)

Ghana Mental Health Volunteers

location
2 - 4 settimane  ·  Età 18 - 50+

rating  Eccezionale 4.9  · 
  Verificato da Volunteer World
  Tasso di risposta eccellente

Progetto di altissima qualità. Questo progetto offre la massima qualità che stabilisce standard - molto al di sopra della media.

Punti Salienti

  • 80% of PMGY volunteers are 17-22 years old
  • Gain exposure to health treatment & facilities across 2 hospital settings
  • Shadow psychiatric doctors & nurses on community outreach programs

Punti Salienti

  • 80% of PMGY volunteers are 17-22 years old
  • Gain exposure to health treatment & facilities across 2 hospital settings
  • Shadow psychiatric doctors & nurses on community outreach programs
  • Structured weekend trips to Cape Coast & Mole National Park
  • Embrace Ghanaian culture with drumming & dancing evening activities


  • Particolarmente adatto per

    Età 18+
    Singoli
    Gruppi

    Sul programma

    This amazing opportunity gives you an insight into how psychiatric services operate in Ghana today. Help this important sector to reach modern standards.

    The mental health volunteer in Ghana placement is designed to provide insight into how psychiatric services operate within Ghana. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs provide an amazing cultural experience. The mental health and psychology program provides international volunteers with a unique ...

    Sul programma

    The mental health volunteer in Ghana placement is designed to provide insight into how psychiatric services operate within Ghana. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs provide an amazing cultural experience. The mental health and psychology program provides international volunteers with a unique learning experience. Most noteworthy, participants will establish a deeper understanding of the history and developments of mental healthcare in Ghana.

    BACKGROUND TO THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

    Ghana’s mental health sector is funded primarily by the government. Its psychiatric services stem back to the early 19th century. Traditionally, patients who suffered from mental health illnesses would be detained in prisons. These prisons later developed into a ‘lunatic asylum’.

    1904 saw the first purposeful psychiatric hospital built in Ghana accommodating 200 patients to start with. Extensive amendments focussed on mental health were made to hospital buildings to burden overcrowding. Rapid expansions in staff training and recruitment for mental health followed.

    From the 1950s innovative treatments for psychiatric illnesses such as ‘chlorpromazine’ and ‘electroconvulsive’ therapy began to emerge more prevalently. Patients were removed from chains and isolation between patients became discouraged. Staff were now refrained from punishing patients as previously had been a norm.

    Essentially, knowledge and understanding began to increase in and around mental health and the issues associated with it. Despite such advances, many citizens in Ghana still believed and practised the traditional forms of psychiatric treatment.

    Many patients or their relatives would still opt for a traditional or herbal form of treatment. This is due to a widely held belief that mental health illnesses remain caused by supernatural evil forces. Such forces are best exiled by traditional medical methods. Examples include visiting shrines, herbalist centres or prayer camps. Methods that would be relatively more accessible and inexpensive.

    Nevertheless, government policy in the long term remains to establish and expand psychiatric facilities in all regional and district hospitals. The 1970s saw the creation of registered mental nurses (RMNs) and community psychiatric nurses (CPNs). This program expanded into Kumasi in the 1990s.

    To summarise, recent government policy has attempted to normalise, ingrain and mainstream up-to-date psychiatric services into primary healthcare. However, the reality is a lot more needs to be done to achieve this even today. With a population of over 26 million, Ghana only has 13 practising psychiatrists in the public service. Inadequate staffing remains a recurrent problem with occupational therapists, social workers and CPNs all hard to come by.

    Traditional healers who can bring with them inhumane treatment methods remain prevalent in Ghana today. It is estimated that around 2.5 million people in Ghana currently suffer from some form of mental health illness. Public education plays a leading role today in helping to overcome widely held traditional myths about mental illnesses. Consequently, patients and relatives are encouraged to seek early professional and alternative treatment.

    Such alternative treatments focus on areas such as occupational therapies and community outreach programs. As a mental health volunteer in Ghana, you will usually get the chance to experience this. In addition to this, a mental health act passed in 2012 aims to combat the stigma and discrimination associated with mentally ill people in Ghana.

    Should mental health volunteers in Ghana wish to consider alternative or additional projects, our mental health volunteering abroad project in Sri Lanka is recognised as our leading mental health volunteer opportunity. For the reason that volunteers receive greater exposure and involvement across a range of placement and project settings.

    MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

    Manhyia Government Hospital - All participants in the Mental Health Experience in Ghana will spend their first week within the Manhyia Hospital. The psychiatric department consists of only two rooms and five physiatric nurses. The responsibilities of these staff members lie in diagnosis, prescribing and consulting.

    Those completing volunteer work in Ghana can observe consultations and ward rounds for patients being treated elsewhere within the hospital. Common conditions witnessed by the staff include depression, mania, psychosis, enuresis, migraine, epilepsy, bipolar, alcoholism, dementia and delirium.

    Tafo Government Hospital - Our participants spend their remaining time based at the Tafo District at the Tafo Government Hospital. The Physiatric department of Tafo Government Hospital first emerged in 1970. However, almost 50 years later, the department still does not have a permanent location within the institution. This follows a lack of recognition of the importance of the services by leading bodies of the hospital. The team of 14 members is therefore frequently shifted between available rooms.

    The team offers three main services. Such services include consultation, community outreach programs and the provision of education to patients with mental health disorders. With these services, the department has three main goals.

    First of all, to make mental health services accessible within the community. Secondly, to educate the general public about the prevalence of mental health disorders and avoid stigmas. Finally, to have a permanent location for offering mental health services.

    The department will often see between 60-70 patients per day. On the first day, participants will receive an orientation from the staff, introducing them to the services offered by the hospital. For the remainder of their time, volunteers will shadow a member of the team. This will include observing consultations, clinical reviews and perhaps even outreach programs.

    Healthcare professionals in Ghana are very friendly and willing to support international volunteers. They are always on hand to answer your questions and describe consultations clinically. Furthermore, the local staff usually speak very good English to combat any language barrier.

    Volunteers on this mental health volunteering abroad project will have the opportunity to spend time aiding the local staff. This may include assessing patient records, evaluating signs of progress, measuring any diagnoses and prescribing any relevant medicines. The doctor will talk through the different ways in which they take care of patients suffering from mental health issues.

    OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER AS A VOLUNTEER IN GHANA

    Return Airport Transfer - Your return airport transfer is not included in your Program Fee. Our local team can help arrange onward transfers to the airport or an alternative destination from the volunteer accommodation. Making specific arrangements once in Ghana provides more flexibility as plans can often change and participants may be on similar flight plans. The costs depend on your method of transport and your final destination. Participants will usually get the coach back to Accra airport or arrange a short domestic flight from Kumasi to Accra airport instead.

    Project Flexibility - As for all our volunteer in Ghana programs, it is possible to combine multiple projects. First of all, please apply for the main program start date you’d like to partake in. Secondly, outline in your online application the details of the other projects you’d like to do. Our local team will finalise the details of your placements during your in-country orientation.

    Hands-On Involvement - Please note this program has been specially designed for those already studying or exploring further study in psychology/mental health. Therefore it may not be appropriate or applicable for those outside this. This volunteer program provides a platform to gain insight and awareness into mental health in a new culture.

    As a mental health volunteer in Ghana, your level of involvement at the project is dictated by a range of factors. First of all your medical experience (if any), duration of your program and willingness to get involved. The medical staff are accountable for you whilst you’re under their supervision, so it is completely up to them if you are permitted and want to get involved in hands-on procedures.

    Generally speaking those with little or no medical experience assume a largely observational role. If you are studying a mental health-related degree, then you may have more opportunity to undertake some more basic hands-on involvement. However, to reiterate we can never guarantee or endorse hands-on experience should you choose to get hands-on, as the decision ultimately lies with the medical staff and their patients.

    Trained Professionals - Please note this program is not suitable for trained professionals who are looking to practise overseas. This opportunity is only suitable for students looking to go into the mental health or psychology field and wish to learn about a healthcare system overseas.

    Weekends - Your project work in Ghana runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Ghana Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend. We also run two separate weekend trips which you can sign-up to before you depart for Ghana. We offer the Cape Coast & Busua Surf Trip along with the Mole National Park Trip with opportunities running every month.




    Giornata tipica

    YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORK DAY

    This project is designed to provide insight into mental health issues for those currently studying mental health or psychology. More specifically, it provides a platform to increase awareness and learning about psychiatric services in Ghana. This extends to ...

    Giornata tipica

    YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORK DAY

    This project is designed to provide insight into mental health issues for those currently studying mental health or psychology. More specifically, it provides a platform to increase awareness and learning about psychiatric services in Ghana. This extends to developing an understanding of the history and developments of mental health in Ghana.

    In general, volunteers work at the project Monday-Friday for around 3-4 hours every day from 9am-1pm. Usually, as a mental health volunteer in Ghana, you will take lunch at the project. Use your free time at the Volunteer House to plan questions for the days ahead.

    Transport to and from the mental health project is not included in your Program Fee. Consequently, volunteers will usually travel by private taxi. Our local team will show you how to get to and from your volunteer project location during the orientation period as well as how to use our local taxi system. Most noteworthy, heavy traffic and poor road infrastructure are commonplace within Kumasi. Subsequently, the journey to the volunteer project can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour from the Volunteer House.


    Attività del tempo libero

    PMGY volunteers are based in a friendly neighbourhood of Ghana’s second city, Kumasi. The volunteer house is a 45-minute drive into Kumasi city centre, which is still dripping with Ashanti traditions and has some interesting sights.

    Kumasi is still the heart of Ashanti country and the site of West ...

    Attività del tempo libero

    PMGY volunteers are based in a friendly neighbourhood of Ghana’s second city, Kumasi. The volunteer house is a 45-minute drive into Kumasi city centre, which is still dripping with Ashanti traditions and has some interesting sights.

    Kumasi is still the heart of Ashanti country and the site of West Africa’s largest cultural centre, the palace of the Ashanti king. The city is surrounded by rolling green hills and has a vast and vibrant central market.

    Close to the market is the city’s National Cultural Centre which encompasses a museum of Ashanti history and you can even try your hand at traditional dance and drumming classes!


    Requisiti

    Requisiti

    Età minima: 18 anni

    Per partecipare al programma è necessario avere almeno 18 anni alla data di inizio del programma. Potrebbero esserci delle esenzioni se si è in grado di fornire il permesso del proprio tutore legale o se si è accompagnati dai propri genitori.

    Competenze linguistiche

    È necessario parlare di Inglese (livello intermedio)

    Requisiti di formazione

    Psychology, Mental Health a livello University

    Controllo dei precedenti penali

    necessario

    Restrizioni sulla nazionalità

    Nessuna restrizione. Gli aiuti da tutto il mondo sono benvenuti.

    Altre competenze

    You should also be physically fit, as volunteering overseas can be quite strenuous. If you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas then these must be declared to us during your online application.

    Impegno di tempo

    Il vostro aiuto sarà richiesto lunedì, martedì, mercoledì, giovedì e venerdì

    Servizi inclusi

    Servizi inclusi

    Servizi per Plan My Gap Year

    • Accommodation 
    • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
    • Airport Pick Up
    • In-Country Orientation
    • 24 Hour Support

    Prelievo dall'aeroporto a Kumasi Airport

    You should arrive into Kotoka International Airport (airport code ACC) on the Sunday. The airport pickup is available 24 hours. 

    On arrival, a member of our local team will be at the waiting area for you holding a PMGY Ghana sign. They will drive you straight to our partner hotel where you can relax and settle in. The hotel is around 15 minutes away from the airport.

    Alloggio

    Volunteer House

    Your first night in Ghana will be spent at a hotel near Kotoka International Airport in Accra. Our partner hotel offers basic but comfortable accommodation. You will share a room with fellow volunteers. Rooms are air-conditioned and a local team coordinator will also stay at the hotel. As a result, you will have 24/7 support if needed. Furthermore, the team member will travel with you to Kumasi the following day.

    During your time on the Ghana volunteer programs, you will live in our Volunteer House. This is located in a friendly neighbourhood, a 45 minute drive from Kumasi city centre. You will find restaurants, convenience stores and ATMs in the centre of the town. However, there is also a small shop opposite the Volunteer House. The local community is extremely friendly!

    The Volunteer House is basic but comfortable. Each room has bunk beds with up to 10 people in same-sex rooms. Volunteers are provided with air conditioning in the room. In addition, each international volunteer is provided with their own mosquito net and bed linen. Bathrooms are limited and are shared between volunteers. There are showers and western style toilets available. The water is cold but this shouldn’t be a problem as Ghana is hot all year round!

    Each participant will also be provided with a locker for storing small valuables and important items. In communal areas, there is CCTV for security reasons. However, we always recommend you store your valuables locked away when not in use. Living in the Volunteer House offers a great social experience! The house has a communal area for volunteers to hang out after completing volunteer work in Ghana. There is a lounge, TV and DVD player. Furthermore, there is an outside seating area for volunteers to relax in during their free time.

    Wi-Fi is not available at the accommodation. However, our local team provides all participants with a free local SIM card. As a result, participants can purchase a data package that is reliable, cheap and allows for good internet access. A 4G data package is usually very cheap and can be used across Ghana. Please make sure your phone is unlocked before arriving in Ghana.

    We also have a refrigerator where you can store your food items, however, please remember this is dependent on electricity. Since power cuts can be a frequent occurrence in Ghana! Clothes can be hand-washed or there are local laundry services near the Volunteer House. A member of our local team will also live at the house. The house is gated and secure and our local coordinator lives on-site ensuring you have constant support and security.

    Please note that power cuts and water shortages are very common in Ghana. Whilst we have backup measures to combat this, there may be times when the power cuts out or there is no water for a while. It’s important to be aware of this in advance and be able to adapt accordingly.

    Cibo e Bevande

    Volunteers will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day during their time with PMGY. Breakfast and dinner are served at the Volunteer House, whereas for lunch we provide you with a packed lunch or the project may provide you with lunch.

    Pork, lamb and beef are difficult to source in Ghana and usually quite expensive. The main meat is chicken, fish and goat. There is also a real lack of fresh dairy products, so you should be prepared to live without milk and cheese etc. Most milk is tinned.

    There are a number of western restaurants around a 45 minute drive out from the accommodation should you fancy picking up some home comforts. There are also some Chinese and Indian restaurants in Kumasi. Our local team will tell you all about the options available to you during your in-country orientation.

    Please note most meals will incorporate lots of carbs and not so much dairy or meat compared to the UK so please be open minded around this! It may take you a few days for your body to accustom to the local food as well.

    * Please inform us in your application if you have any dietary requirements. Furthermore, meals on the Sunday arrival date are NOT included, so please budget between £5 to £10 for this.

    Accesso a Internet

    Buon accesso al sito del progetto

    Cosa NON è incluso?

    Cosa NON è incluso?

    Biglietti aerei

    L'aeroporto più vicino è Kumasi Airport (KMS) a Kumasi. Vi aiutiamo a trovare voli economici per Ghana. TROVARE VOLI ECONOMICI

    Assicurazione di viaggio

    Andare all'estero è un'avventura ed è sempre meglio essere preparati. Malattia o infortunio improvviso, annullamento o furto: un'assicurazione di viaggio per Ghana offre sicurezza ed è un vantaggio da avere. OTTENERE UN PREZZO

    Vaccini

    Se avete intenzione di fare volontariato a Ghana dovete chiedere un parere medico prima di iniziare il vostro viaggio sociale. Controllare le vaccinazioni richieste per Ghana. CHECKER PER I VACCINI

    Dettagli all'arrivo

    This program starts on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of every month

    Disponibilità
    gen feb mar apr mag giu lug ago set ott nov dic

    Tariffe del programma

    2 settimane (soggiorno min.) 727€
    3 settimane 862€
    4 settimane (soggiorno max.) 996€
    Tariffe medie 306€/settimana

    Tariffe del programma

    306€ tariffe settimanali 2 - 4 settimane Età 18 - 50+

    Modalità di pagamento

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NESSUNA COMMISSIONE PER LA CARTA DI CREDITO


    Durata

    2 - 4 settimane

    Deposito

    Il deposito serve semplicemente a prenotare il vostro posto di volontario. I pagamenti sono gestiti da PayPal, il nostro fornitore globale di fiducia. Se non avete un conto PayPal, potete pagare anche con carta di credito.


    Pagamento Finale

    Il pagamento finale sarà concordato con Plan My Gap Year durante il processo di candidatura. Le soluzioni più comuni sono il bonifico bancario o il pagamento in contanti presso la sede del progetto.


    Incontra il tuo ospite

    Plan My Gap Year

    Eccezionale 4.9 rating (1435 recensioni)

    Agenzia - fondata nel 2011

    Verificato da Volunteer World

      Tasso di risposta eccellente

    Ospitato da

    Josh

    Lingue parlate: Inglese

    Sul progetto

    Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK.

    Incontra il tuo ospite

    Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK. We provide safe, affordable, need-driven volunteer programmes from 1 to 24 weeks in 11 countries worldwide.

    A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US…

    Founded by volunteers for volunteers, Plan My Gap Year works with local communities in the developing world towards long-term sustainable goals. We know there is no better way to travel and make a positive impact on the world.

    We work extremely hard to ensure that our opportunities are affordable for everyone who wants to make a difference. So fees are 100% transparent, something our volunteers really appreciate.

    Plan My Gap Year structured programmes create the perfect platform for you to see the world, meet like-minded people and engage in meaningful volunteer work. We have teams in the UK and in our host destinations who will support you 24/7 throughout your time with us. Furthermore, every project on our network is regularly risk-assessed by our UK team to ensure our set up is safe and that our volunteers are making a positive impact.

    There is also a great social element to our programmes. Plan My Gap Year puts you in touch with all your fellow volunteers via Facebook before you set off. Our projects receive volunteers from around the world throughout the year, so even if you’re travelling solo, you’re going to meet heaps of people along the way. Plus you’ll have plenty of opportunity to travel the country with your newfound travel buddies – it’s all part of the PMGY experience!

    So if you’re thinking of doing something a bit different on your next trip abroad, then why not drop us a line and find out what extraordinary things you could be doing.

    AFFORDABLE & TRANSPARENT FEES

    Our aim is to make our programmes accessible to motivated travellers irrespective of their financial capacity. Plan My Gap Year focuses on providing the core requirements of a volunteer programme: safety, structure and sustainability.

    We are 100% transparent with our fees. That way you know exactly how much of your money goes towards the local community.

    Compared to the large majority of volunteer organisations out there, even most charities and not-for-profits, PMGY’s opportunities are significantly cheaper. Furthermore, as our reviews will testify, our support service and structured programmes are second to none.

    SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

    Your safety is our top priority. All of Plan My Gap Years' programmes have been personally inspected and vetted by the PMGY team – which is not an industry standard by any means. We carry out independent risk assessments on an annual basis and our local teams constantly review the safety precautions we implement. This includes regular staff and safety appraisals.

     Our local teams are made up of highly experienced volunteer coordinators. They have hosted international volunteers for many years and are prepared to react in the unlikely event of an emergency. Whatever the problem, big or small, our local teams are available around the clock.

    As part of our commitment to your safety, we keep in constant communication with local embassies and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to ensure we can identify potentially dangerous situations and act upon them immediately. Our UK team are available 24/7 to assist volunteers and their families.

    TRAINING & SUPPORT

    We support our volunteers every step of the way. Before you go we will provide you with a detailed Volunteer Handbook, which will guide you through how to prepare for your trip. This Handbook contains literally everything you need to know – from what to pack, to how to obtain a visa, to local language guides.

    Our experienced UK team are always available to provide assistance. Plan My Gap Year is always available to answer our questions and support you in anyway we can. 

    On arrival, a member of our in-country team will collect you from the airport and help you settle in. Your orientation course will teach you everything you need to know about the country, how to stay safe and what to expect from your upcoming volunteer experience. 

    Our local team are on-call 24/7. Whether you’ve lost your passport or just want some help in planning a weekend trip, our friendly in-country coordinators provide that safety net to ensure you are well looked after.

    RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

    Plan My Gap Years' responsibility is not limited to our travellers but also the projects we support. That is why all our volunteers must provide a Criminal Background Check before they travel.

    It is essential that our projects are need-driven and sustainable. We work closely with our local partners to ensure that our volunteers are contributing to bring about long-term development.

    PERSONAL TOUCH

    We really know our programmes. Our UK team have stayed in the accommodation, volunteered at the projects and met the volunteers. We carefully assess each application we receive so that your personality and skills are suited to the project. Whatever your query, you can feel assured that you will be speaking to someone who can tell you exactly what to expect.

    HAVING FUN

    One of the best aspects of volunteering is meeting some amazing like-minded people. We place over 2,000 volunteers every year so wherever and whenever you go, you have the peace of mind in knowing you will be living and working alongside other PMGY volunteers. In many of our destinations, we run our own Volunteer House accommodation, which ensures all volunteers live together, and therefore guaranteeing a strong social element. In addition, our local team are always there to help you plan any independent travel or give you some tips for what to do at the weekend.

    1435 recensioni · rating4.9

    Laura Marland rating5

    2024 at Ghana Mental Health Volunteers

    Having just volunteered in Ghana with PMGY for 4 weeks, I could not recommend them more. All of the coordinators are so welcoming and you are made to feel like part of the family straight away. I did three weeks mental health and one week childcare. The mental health programme was so interesting to ...
    Carla López rating4.4

    2024 at Ghana Mental Health Volunteers

    As a whole I have had a really good and enriching experience. The staff is pleasant and the activities are well organized. I think the main problem is that volunteering seems like an extra, and not the central point of the trip. I havn’t felt that my performance, and neither the one of my ...
    I have been with PMGY in Ghana, it was honestly an outstanding and unforgettable experience. Within just three weeks the house felt like a new home, the people working and living in the volunteer house are very kind and always trying to help you. The organiser Seth, made every wish we had come true, ...
    Rosie Brougham rating5

    2023 at Ghana Mental Health Volunteers

    This trip was amazing, exploring a new country and meeting lots of new people. The staff at PMGY Ghana are a massive reason why it was so great, they are so helpful and always put us at ease as well as being a friend! Couldn't recommend ...
    Marta Romano rating3.2

    2023 at Ghana Mental Health Volunteers

    I must say that it was definitely a wonderful experience! The best part was getting to know the other volunteers and creating wonderful friendships that I will definitely carry with me for life. Even just for that reason I would recommend this experience to anyone! On the other hand, I was a little ...
    Charlotte rating5

    2021 at Ghana Mental Health Volunteers

    I had an absolutely amazing 3 weeks in Ghana on the mental health and childcare programmes. The support in answering any questions I had before the trip was great and the in-country team are absolutely amazing and really go out of their way to accommodate you. The projects themselves were truly ...

    Posizione


    Potreste essere interessati anche a

    Contattare Josh
      Tasso di risposta eccellente
    Inglese

    La maggior parte dei volontari chiede


    Hai altre domande? Invia un messaggio a Josh
    Per favore, non condividere le informazioni di contatto

    Date di viaggio

    1. - 1. gen 1

    Prenota con l'opzione Flex!

    Scegliete nuove date di partenza o passate a un altro programma di volontariato senza costi aggiuntivi entro 12 mesi.

    Approfittate dei nostri servizi per i volontari dedicati!

    Godetevi la garanzia di rimborso, l'opzione Flex gratuita e l'assistenza di emergenza. La nostra garanzia di prezzo assicura un valore imbattibile e il nostro team di assistenza è pronto ad assistervi.