In response to the rising mental health concerns among young people, the Mary Mother conference of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has announced an upcoming benefit concert aimed at generating funds and raising awareness for child mental health.
This initiative comes in the wake of an alarming increase in depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts among the youth, a fact highlighted by the Mental Health Authority.
“We are all aware that today’s world is full of numerous stresses, and increasingly, young people seem to be at the receiving end of it,” said a statement issued by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. “Many young individuals are suffering in silence, not knowing where to turn for support. We want to change that,” it added.
The benefit concert is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 5th, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Mary Mother of Good Counsel parish in Airport West, Accra. The event is organized in collaboration with the KGL Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of the KGL Group. The KGL Foundation is renowned for its philanthropic endeavors in various sectors, including health and education.
The statement announcing the concert indicated that “the KGL Foundation has already made strides in the realm of mental health by developing the Mental Health Index (MHI), a digitally-based support system that assembles knowledge, talent, and professionals from across the globe to provide quality mental health care.” It was further mentioned that the funds raised from the benefit concert will be dedicated to early intervention and essential support for children in need of mental health assistance.
The initiative embodies The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s core values of supporting disadvantaged and marginalized individuals, regardless of their religion, gender, cultural background, or political beliefs.
This joint effort between the organization and the KGL Foundation underscores their commitment to creating a better future for Ghana’s youth by addressing the pressing issue of child mental health.