Need to talk? 0800 678 678 Join the list

Gyina Me Ho “Stand with me” · A Ghana-first mental health movement

Clear the stigma.
Keep the hope.

When someone in Ghana says “I’m not okay”, too often they get laughed at, doubted or lectured. StigmaClear teaches the rest of us what to say next — at home, in church and mosque, at school, at work and online.

Join the launch list

First pilot: Kumasi. Free to join. Education and support, not a clinic.

See how it works

01 — The problem

673 calls reached Ghana’s national mental health helpline in all of 2025.

  1. People speak up, then get laughed at, disbelieved or lectured — and many never try again.
  2. Most campaigns say talk to someone. Nobody teaches the someone.
  3. The common words for mental illness in Ghanaian languages mean madness.

Awareness without a door is cruel. We’re building the door.

02 — Gyina Me Ho · The First Response Standard

Five moves anyone can learn for the moment someone opens up. B · L · A · S · C.

  1. Believe

    “I believe you. Thank you for telling me.”

  2. Listen

    “Tell me more. What has it been like?”

  3. Ask

    “How are you really doing? Is it feeling too heavy?”

    A gentle, honest question opens the door. It tells them it’s safe to be real with you.

  4. Stay

    “I’m not going anywhere. Can I check on you tomorrow?”

  5. Connect

    “Let’s call 0800 678 678 together.”

03 — CLEAR language

Words decide whether someone speaks up again. Change the words.

  • CCall it health
  • LLead with the person
  • EEnd blame
  • AAvoid “mad” for everything
  • RRemember recovery

Say this, not that

Instead of: “She’s going mad.”

Say: “She’s dealing with anxiety.”

Instead of: “A schizophrenic.”

Say: “A person living with schizophrenia.”

Instead of: “I’m going crazy.”

Say: “My mind is tired; I need rest and support.”

04 — The TOMORROW hope framework

Tomorrow will be better. Let’s make it easier to get there.

Eight small, practical steps for the days that feel heavy — for the person struggling, and for whoever is standing with them.

  1. Tell someone, and listen well
  2. One goal at a time
  3. Map more than one way
  4. Own a small win
  5. Remember what matters to you
  6. Reach out for support, together
  7. Other people’s stories of getting through
  8. Widen the horizon to tomorrow

05 — Mind Weather

How’s your mind weather today?

An everyday check-in you can use with a friend, a child or yourself. It’s a conversation tool, not a diagnosis.

  • Clear

    Coping, connected, sleeping okay.

    Do: keep your routines.

  • Cloudy

    Stressed, overthinking, tired.

    Do: rest, talk to a friend, reduce the load, move your body.

  • Rainy

    Low or anxious most days for 2+ weeks.

    Do: tell someone you trust; see a counsellor, nurse or doctor.

  • Storm

    Everything feels too heavy to carry alone.

    Talk to someone today: call 0800 678 678 (free) or visit a health facility with someone you trust.

06 — The Five Rooms

Stigma doesn’t live in a hospital. It lives in five rooms — so that’s where we go, with messengers people already trust.

  • 1Home
  • 2Faith
  • 3School
  • 4Work
  • 5Online

+ The StigmaClear Index

Measured every year, so it becomes culture — not a campaign that ends.

Be part of it from day one.

We’re preparing our first pilot in Kumasi. Join for the launch, training sessions, and ways to get involved.

One email when there’s something worth knowing. Unsubscribe any time.

StigmaClear

Tap a letter. Or let the stigma fall.