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A volunteer group of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) by name Loyal Ladies have sent words of advice to the general public to help each other to overcome depression as many youth especially women are being affected by it in recent cases going on in the country.

As part of their activities to celebrate their 1st Anniversary, they organised a seminar dubbed; "Be Bold For Change" to create awareness and educate people especially women about the causes, dangers, and effect of depression and its solutions on Saturday March 25, 2017.

Speaking to peacefmonline.com, Ms. Perpetual Lolokie Kwada - Executive President of the group said issues of depression is of much of concern to Loyal Ladies. “Even though we are done with our campaign, any issues of women is of concern to us so as we celebrate our anniversary, we have taken it upon ourselves to educate young women about depression and its dangers”, she averred.

Madam Mary Akua Ampomah, a Clinical Psychologist at the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics, Korle-Bu who graced the occasion said “we should find a way of handling such issues so as not to contradict or conflict the work of professionals.

She again said psychologists are trying to collaborate with prayer camps leaders (pastors) as a matter of urgency to make sure patients are well taken care of by way of taking their medication properly as they go through their spiritual process as well.

She further advised the public to consult professionals for medical attention when they are depressed rather than go to the prayer centres since the professionals have been trained with the requisite skills to handle such cases and also urged all to always open up and share their problems when they have issues to avoid committing suicide.

It's natural to feel down sometimes, but if that low mood lingers day after day, it could signal depression. Depression is not a sign of weakness or a negative personality, it is a major public health problem and a treatable medical condition, she added.