Mental Illness is something that has plagued humanity for as long as it has existed. Though referred to by different names over the course of its history, whether war trauma, bleakness or sapping of the soul, people have always struggled with mental illnesses. Good mental health is critical for someone to feel alive and to thrive, but it is something that has attracted a great deal of stigma and still, to this day, this stigma affects public perception of those afflicted.
Far be it from the old days when those with mental illnesses were decried as insane, possesed or lazy, the world is moving forward and realizing that these are people who are in need of help, not suspicion. However, while great strides have been made and countries have devoted resources to help these people it is clear that it isn’t enough. Resources are stretched too thin, or latent stigma against those with mental illnesses prevents them from receiving proper treatment. Furthermore, many of these state run facilities deal with patients in a clinical and distant manner, and cannot afford to devote enough time to truly heal their patients due to the vast numbers of those in need.
At Harbor Healthcare Integrated we recognize that these patients are people with hurt souls and minds and that the greatest way to help them is by showing them the love they deserve. Using a unique treatment plan, Harbor Health takes every patient in as a human instead of a statistic and creates an environment that allows for them to heal at their own pace. They are treated with respect and understanding by the staff and are provided counseling services both in private and communal settings. Thus, a patient can be alone with their counselor or they can join the communal setting and be a part of the community that has been fostered.
Many of these people no longer have the human feeling, that community, that people need to thrive. They have waged their own private wars for so long that they no longer know how to interact with people and be content. These communal settings are key to helping people know that they are not alone, that they are loved and that everyone can grow and heal together. Onsite-housing reinforces this idea, as patients are able to have a safe and comfortable place to rest and recuperate while in treatment and, should the need arise, they have easy access to counselors and treatment if they have a bad night.
While these efforts have helped many people in the United States, I've looked abroad, seeking to help more of those in need. In the African nation of Ghana, I've found many thousands of people afflicted with trauma, mental illness and latent depression that cannot be regularly treated due to Ghana’s resources being stretched beyond their breaking point. Determined to provide for these people, I've been creating temporary clinics while working with the local governments and tribes in order to provide something for those people. I am also seeking to create a permanent mental health clinic in Ghana, mirroring the one in the United States, so that treatment for Ghanians will be a permanent fixture versus a temporary one.
For these efforts, I have been declared king by the grateful people of the GaAdang-Be tribe. They know me as Nii Borlabi Tesaa I. It is not a title that I wear lightly and I have pledged to provide what these people need to thrive in Ghana. It is not a small task and due to Ghana’s troubles, it is one that could likely take many years to achieve. However it is a task that I have assumed with fierce determination. With such a dedicated move, it is hoped that one day, Ghanians will be able to receive treatment without fear of stigma or not having enough resources for them to be treated.
As a self-made man, but more than just being an entrepreneur and philanthropist, I am a man of the people. I do not perform these actions simply to improve my image, but because I truly believe in humanity and doing the right thing. Thousands of people have been treated with love and respect, many of whom would likely not have been treated appropriately or at all with state-run clinics. While there will always be mental illnesses in the world, there are many people afflicted who could be helped immensely just by someone reaching out their hand in friendship to lift them up. From now until the end, I will always be there to offer that hand and show the love and compassion that every human being deserves.
Dr. Johnwick Nathan is the chief executive officer of Harbor Healthcare Integrated, based in the East Valley.
