On September 18, 2026, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word (SVI) and the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ) congregations participated in a seminar on Pastoral Care and Mental Health at the St. Joseph Retreat Center in the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani.
Rev. Fr. Martin Yaw Sie in collaboration with Rev. Fr. John Sah and Sr. Juliana Asantewaa organised the Seminar for priests, religious, catechists, and leaders of catholic institutions in the Diocese of Sunyani, Bono Region, to enhance their pastoral duties and equip them with basic counseling skills to address mental health issues.
The seminar featured three facilitators: Rev. Fr. Martin Yaw Sie (Pastoral Psychologist and Counselor), Rev. Fr. John Sah (Psychologist), and Sr. Juliana Asantewaa, SVI (Counsellor) and a resource person Mr. Joseph Yere (Bono Regional Coordinator for Mental Health).
Mr. Joseph Yere was the first speaker, providing participants with an overview of mental health issues in Ghana.
He noted the scarcity of psychiatrists in the country, explaining that it is a difficult and unattractive career path.
He traced the history of mental health in Ghana from 1876 to the present, mentioning that there are currently only three psychiatric hospitals (in Accra, Pantang, and Ankaful) and that mental health professionals are present in all 16 districts, making mental health services more accessible than in the past.
Mr. Yere highlighted a significant treatment gap of 98% in mental health care, emphasising that mental health is not included in the health insurance scheme in Ghana.
He expressed concern that if adequate funding were provided, individuals suffering from mental health issues, many of whom are homeless, could receive treatment within three months.
Unfortunately, he noted that there had been no government support for mental health, which is alarming.
He underscored the government’s lack of urgency regarding mental health care, citing that medication for mental health issues was only received on September 17, 2026, nearly nine months into the year.
As the seminar progressed, Rev. Fr. Martin Sie introduced a person-centered approach to pastoral care.
He explained that pastoral care draws inspiration from Jesus Christ, the chief shepherd, who accompanies, listens, understands, and forgives people.
The Church’s pastoral care ministry is modelled after Jesus’s approach. Fr. Sie emphasized that pastoral care focuses on the whole person rather than just specific aspects of their lives.
He stated that the Church seeks to respond to the needs of humanity, because whatever affects the people ultimately is also the concern of the Church.
Fr. Sie clarified that secular psychological counseling focuses on the psychological needs of individuals, while pastoral care encompasses a broader spectrum.
He highlighted that the dignity of each person or the care recipient must be respected in a non-judgmental manner and such that individuals can feel comfortable approaching a pastoral caregiver.
“Accepting the person does not mean accepting the behavior of the person,” he added.
Participants were encouraged to practice active listening and to avoid being judgmental or quick to offer advice.
Fr. Sie advised against overly quoting the Bible or moralizing situations or behaviours, as this may discourage care seekers.
He recommended that caregivers express empathy through observation, paying attention to participants’ words, gestures, postures, and even silence, which could convey important messages.
Participants were cautioned against comparing cases or hasty sharing of personal stories when offering support to people , unless necessary.
Fr. Sie also discussed various forms of biases that could impact the effectiveness of pastoral care.
These included: Availability bias, cultural bias, religious bias, initial momentum bias, gender bias, professional bias, and overconfidence bias and spiritual bias.
He encouraged participants to be aware of these biases, which can hinder their ability to provide the necessary help to those in need.
Additionally, Fr. Sie emphasised the importance of cultural competence, stating that pastoral caregivers should understand cultural differences and learn to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Additionally, he urged participants to recognize their limits in providing pastoral care and to feel empowered to refer complex issues to professionals when needed.
The third topic of the day was presented by Rev. Fr. John Sah, who discussed mental health.
He referenced a 2024 report from the World Health Organization stating that approximately 2.1 million Ghanaians live with moderate mental health disorders, and more than 650,000 people suffer from severe cases.
Addressing mental health challenges represents a major global public health concern, extending far beyond traditional misconceptions to encompass complex cognitive, emotional, and behavioural disturbances.
He outlined key classifications of mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders characterized by excessive fear and worry, schizophrenia spectrum conditions that involve distorted thinking and perception, and mood and personality disorders that disrupt daily functioning and relationships. To effectively support those affected, he advocated for the integration of practical mental health strategies into community support systems.
Fr. Sah emphasised that our reactions to everyday events are significant for mental health, as giving others the benefit of the doubt can be more constructive than continuously identifying problems in our interactions.
He outlined some mental health interventions, such as psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle interventions.
By Sr. Esther Kutie, SVI and Sr. Sheila Aselwine Adombire, HHCJ (Catholic Sister Communicators Network Ghana- CASCON – GH)
