Mental Health and Psychiatric Support

location
4 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Learn about major causes of mental health issues in Ghana directly from the Mental health directorate in Accra the capital
  • Participate in medical outreaches to educate and sensitization family and friends on stigmatizing mental health patients.
  • Gain the spirit of resilience to help you have another perspective of life.

Highlights

  • Learn about major causes of mental health issues in Ghana directly from the Mental health directorate in Accra the capital
  • Participate in medical outreaches to educate and sensitization family and friends on stigmatizing mental health patients.
  • Gain the spirit of resilience to help you have another perspective of life.
  • Learn about community living and communal labour
  • Visit various tourist sites in the various regions as you go on outreach


  • Especially good for

    Age 16+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Mental health is becoming a big challenge in Ghana due to both economic and family issues, volunteers work with mental health professionals in the clinic and on outreach.

    Though mental health care is of international concern, Ghana as a nation is struggling to attend to the mental health needs of citizens because of few psychiatric hospitals; which is also very congested, few mental health professionals and a lack of community and rehabilitative care.   Mental ...

    About the program

    Though mental health care is of international concern, Ghana as a nation is struggling to attend to the mental health needs of citizens because of few psychiatric hospitals; which is also very congested, few mental health professionals and a lack of community and rehabilitative care.   Mental health issues is on the increase due to substance abuse leading to addiction in the youth mostly, depression due to economic and family hardship, intellectual disabilities due to trauma, mixed energy drinks bad association and lot of anxiety. There is also less education and awareness creation on the effect of substance like weed, tramadol, weed and some of the energy drinks intake. 

    This program is design for mental health workers and Students studying psychology in school or have the interest to pursue a career in mental health or just anyone who has compassion to care for these patients.

     Volunteers therefore come in to shadow health officials to perform various services including attending to patients at the hospital, going to homes of healed patient’s to educate families on stigmatization etc. Education and sensitization of drug abuse and its implication, directing patients to clinics within their vicinity that they seek support, educating community and family members how to support mental health patients   Volunteers work with doctors and nurses on the following services; 

    • Mental state examination
    • Psychotherapy
    • Group and individual counselling
    • Addiction management
    • Detoxification
    • Anger management
    • Care of the mentally ill.

     

    Can I use this placement as internship for my Academic Work?

    Volunteers will need to take this placement for academic purpose should inform us prior to arrival for additional forms and requirements. Forms will be filled and access by a director of the psychiatric unit.


    Typical day

    Volunteers working at the hospital have varied schedule, volunteers either go on  day shift, afternoon or night shift depending on their preference and also base on the hospital needs too. A normal schedule is as follows:

    • 7:00am Breakfast
    • 7:30am walk or a ride to placement
    • 8:00am Instructions on ...

    Typical day

    Volunteers working at the hospital have varied schedule, volunteers either go on  day shift, afternoon or night shift depending on their preference and also base on the hospital needs too. A normal schedule is as follows:

    • 7:00am Breakfast
    • 7:30am walk or a ride to placement
    • 8:00am Instructions on assignment for the day
    • 8:30am volunteer work begins
    • 12:00am Lunch/Snack break/Rest
    • 1:00pm volunteer work resume
    • 4:30pm Closing( Volunteers have the option to continue base on the need)
    • 5:30pm Dinner

    Evenings Time to socialize with host family to know the culture, traditions etc


    Free-time activities

    Volunteers have the weekend to explore the 16 regions of Ghana. Each region has its unique culture and tourist sites. Volunteers are advice to read more about Ghana's tourist sites to help them have a fair idea of where their interest will be. 

    We help volunteers to choose tourist sites and give ...

    Free-time activities

    Volunteers have the weekend to explore the 16 regions of Ghana. Each region has its unique culture and tourist sites. Volunteers are advice to read more about Ghana's tourist sites to help them have a fair idea of where their interest will be. 

    We help volunteers to choose tourist sites and give advice on safety check, accommodation and recommend tour guide if the need be.  There is a monkey sanctuary, mole safari ride, waterfalls, open street market, museum etc that volunteers can visit as well as local festivals  like akwasidae, Homowow,  Aboakyire, chalewote festival etc.

    During the week days too, volunteers can go to the shopping, market centers or to relax at the beach after volunteer duties ends.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 16 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Education Requirements

    medicine, science at High School minimum level

    Required Documents

    CV

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    A compassionate heart. Must be resilient Positive attitude

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:30 - 15:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by SFLIG volunteers

    As an organization which value volunteers support, we do not charge volunteers to volunteer. Volunteers only pay for their up keep whilst in Ghana and a token given to support girls to stay in school. Volunteering with us means giving a poor girl the chance to get education.



    •  Pre-departure support
    • Airport pick-up on arrival 
    • Orientation and safety briefing on arrival
    • Accommodation (as specified above)
    • Food/Meals (as specified above)
    • 24/7 local support network 
    • Internet sim card
    • Certificate of recognition 
    • Reference or recommendation letter any time the need arise after volunteering
    • Program supervision
    • Donation to placement
    • Donation to  girls support

    Airport Pickup at Kotoka International Airport

    Volunteers are requested to send a full picture of themselves at the airport  during departure, to make easy identification and our local representative who will pick the volunteer also send the volunteer a picture of him/herself at the airport. This is to help make the pick up process easy. There is a free wifi at the airport for communication when volunteer arrives. Volunteers are advice to connect to the wifi and communicate with the rep doing the pickup, this also helps the volunteer to go through immigration process easily 

    Accommodation

    Volunteers will stay at the Sflig Volunteers house or  with a host family that will be provided by SFLIG Volunteers, which is very safe for volunteers and this will help them to adjust, adapt and know the Ghanaian culture and that of the community intern will be doing the volunteer work. The selection of a host family will deepen on the information that will be provided on the application form the volunteer will fill and submit. 


    These host families are people who have been investigated and have good record and have good health. There are periodic checks to see if they are still u to standard. The accommodation is part of the program fee. Accommodation in hostiles and dormitories can sometimes be organized for group of interns from 6 upwards working on same or similar project or working at the same project site. Volunteer will have a room of her own or mostly likely to share a room with a fellow volunteer. A bed will be provided and any other necessary things like a table and chair will be provided and volunteer will have access to T.V, radio, electricity, kitchen, toilet and bath, clean water.

    Food & Beverages

    Host families are responsible for providing breakfast and dinner everyday. Due to the distance between project area and home lunch can’t be provided and volunteers are advice to go with a snack. The foods served mainly consist of continental dishes comprising rice, chicken, beef, tea, coffee, bread, eggs, soup, potato, oaths, fruits, fish, etc. Local food

    That is mainly made from the above, tubers, beans and/or maize is served alongside. It is also very common for an intern to find a familiar dish in restaurants in different cities. Volunteers are provided with well treated water which is purchased from certified producers of hygienically bottled or bagged water.

    Volunteers with special dietary needs like vegetarian should let us know, so we can prepare their preferred meal. Those with allergies should let us know too.

    During weekends volunteers can make their own special foods or eat in a nearby restaurant or order for any continental food to be delivered to them

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ghana provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Ghana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ghana. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Volunteers are free to arrive at any day of their choice but we advice volunteers arrive on Fridays or Saturdays, for them to have some rest and settle in before volunteer duties start on Monday (Volunteers are also allowed to determine when they want to start upon arrival). Volunteers can arrive at any time of the day but arriving in the evenings means volunteer will have to spend long time at the airport due to long queue because most  flights arrive in the evening. Therefore volunteers can look for flights that arrives mid morning or early afternoon.

    Our representative will pick up volunteer to the his /her host family's accommodation. 

    This program is all year round and volunteer can extend length of stay upon arrival.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    4 weeks (min. stay) 948€
    6 weeks 1,147€
    7 weeks 1,247€
    9 weeks 1,446€
    11 weeks 1,646€
    24 weeks (max. stay) 2,943€
    Average fees 180€/week

    Program fees

    180€ per week 4 - 24 weeks Age 16 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 24 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with SFLIG volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    SFLIG volunteers

    Excellent 4.8 rating (36 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2011

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Sally

    Spoken languages: English

    About the project

    Solutions for Life Initiative Ghana (SFLIG) connect passionate people seeking to “give back” to the very people whose lives depends on it where there is mutual benefit

    Meet your organization

    SFLIG Volunteer and Internship program is an initiative developed to improve the lives of children, especially girls from orphanages and broken homes and to provide support to single mothers. Our aim is to improve the lives of people from difficult backgrounds through school enrollment, housing provision, medical care and start-up capital for single mothers. Through these endeavors we hope to alleviate poverty and promote community growth.

    We are committed to achieving first six Sustainable Development Goals of the UN:

    1. No poverty
    2. zero hunger
    3. good health and well-being
    4. quality education
    5. gender equality
    6. clean water and sanitation.

    We introduce volunteers to our rich hospitality and culture. Ghana cannot be compared to any other country in Africa,
    We are dedicated to the concept of volunteering within our organisation. We welcome and celebrate the skills, knowledge and passion of people who are committed to making a change. We are proud to be part of their journey of self-discovery – a journey where, we find, the rewards are tangible and memorable.

    SFLIG offers volunteer experiences in many different categories. These include teaching, medical, working with children and creative art centres. Any one of these categories provides the volunteer with countless opportunities to see first-hand the challenges that exist for the less privileged in Ghana and to, more importantly, have a positive impact on the lives of those they meet.

    Mission

    Our mission is to help connect individuals and groups looking for the opportunity to give back to society to the very people who needs their support where both parties benefit. Volunteers experience new culture and life whiles helping to better the lives of the community. 

    Vision

    We envisage a voluntary journey where volunteers discover themselves and receives more than they give.

    Objective

    Our main objective is to mobilise resource to educate and empower the less privilege especially women and girls through volunteering and internship support.

    36 reviews · rating4.8

    Maximilian Krahn rating4.8

    2023 at Mental Health and Psychiatric Support

    I spent five weeks at SFLIG volunteers.Sally, the director, is a wonderful and very supportive host with two lovely kids. Furthermore, I got a lot of support from Emmanuel, who would show me were I worked and help me with anything I needed. He is also a great guy to chat with. In the program, I ...
    Caitlin Bedford rating5

    2017 at Mental Health and Psychiatric Support

    I spent 2 weeks in Ghana where I stayed with Sally and her lovely family. During my time there, I was able to work at a Mental Rehabilitation Centre, a Clinic and a Teaching Hospital. The program was tailored to my experiences and interests so I was really able to get the most out of being there. ..
    I had an amazing experience with SFLIG volunteers. From the start, the coordinator, Sally, was very helpful and welcoming. Before arriving, any questions or concerns were quickly answered. Throughout my stay, Sally continued to be friendly, showing me around, sharing the culture, and making some ...
    Rona Brown rating5

    2024 at Teaching Support in schools

    I volunteered with SFLIG Volunteers for 9 weeks in a school. They are in the Liberian refugee camp located in Ghana. Both of them were very welcoming, and I enjoyed the time so much spending with the children and learned a lot from them. It was my first time in Africa, but I had no issues during ...
    Emi Erving rating4

    2024 at Health Care and Medical Outreach

    Overall an amazing experience that is more than worth the cost and distance to travel! The people in the hospital (St. Gregory’s Catholic Hospital) where beyond kind and welcoming. They were eager to teach me, let me observe and eventually supportive in me doing things like setting and IV or doing ...
    Luca Elisa Baumgartner rating5

    2023 at Child Care Support

    My husband and I spent 4 month in Ghana from June - September 2023. Originally we wanted to stay for two month, but we extended our stay twice because we loved it so much 🥰 Sally is the perfect host and took wonderful care of us. We quickly became close friends (we always call her our ...

    Location


    You might also be interested in

    Contact Sally
      Excellent response rate
    English

    Most volunteers ask about


    Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Sally
    Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

    Book with Flex Option!

    Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

    Enjoy our services for dedicated volunteers!

    Enjoy a Refund Guarantee, Free Flex Option, and Emergency Assistance. Our Price-Guarantee ensures unbeatable value, and our Support Team is ready to assist.