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Article
The Deinstitutionalization of Psychiatric Hospitals in Ghana: An Application of Bronfenbrenner’s Social-Ecological Model
Issues in Mental Health Nursing
  • Joseph Adu, The University of Western Ontario
  • Abram Oudshoorn, The University of Western Ontario
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2-2020
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1080/01612840.2019.1666327
Disciplines
Abstract

© 2020, © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Institutionalization of people living with mental illness has evolved over the years, especially in the 19th and early 20th century. This has created over crowdedness in various psychiatric institutions, specifically in low and-middle-income countries, including Ghana. The objective of this study is to use Bronfenbrenner’s Social-Ecological Model (1979) to propose a process for deinstitutionalizing psychiatric services in Ghana while supporting a transition to community-based mental health care. Using the concept of Bronfenbrenner’s Social-Ecological Model, this article explores some benefits and difficulties with the concept of deinstitutionalization with regards to mental health care services in Ghana. Individuals living with mental illness will be more comfortable in various communities in Ghana where education on stigmatization and discrimination is heightened to subsequently prevent it. Education and intervention policies are required to intensify the campaign to win the support of all people in the community. Residents of Ghana should learn to say no to stigma and discrimination among people living with mental illness.

Citation Information
Joseph Adu and Abram Oudshoorn. "The Deinstitutionalization of Psychiatric Hospitals in Ghana: An Application of Bronfenbrenner’s Social-Ecological Model" Issues in Mental Health Nursing Vol. 41 Iss. 4 (2020) p. 306 - 314
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/abe-oudshoorn/3/