About Psychcorps Ghana
Who we are
Psych Corps Ghana (PCG) was established in 2012 to reduce the wide treatment gap of 97% in conventional mental health services provision in Ghana. PCG trains and equips new graduates in psychology to administer psychological first aid in communities, reduce stigma and bridge the treatment gap.
We strategically recruit Level 400 psychology undergraduates from Tertiary institutions and further orient and provide them with intensive training in lay counselling and mental health advocacy, taking advantage of their enthusiasm and 4 years of psychology training. When they graduate, PCG liaises with the National Service Scheme (NSS) to ensure smooth posting to various health facilities across the country to work alongside community psychiatric nurses and psychologists.
PCG monitors their activities and work output with visits by coordinators and with the use of social media platforms such as WhatsApp. We also provide continuous educational support. Annually, PCG posts between 45- 60 graduates.
Our Impact in Numbers
Discover the milestones we've achieved since our inception.
1,200+
Students Reached
990+
PCMs Trained
15
Hospitals Engaged
8,000+
Hours of Training
Our Corporate Statement
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Our Vision
To become a global mental health care organization that prepares psychology graduates for community mental health service to individuals, families, and institutions.
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Our Mission
To promote mental health care through the Psych Corps by bridging the gap in mental health care treatment, through psych education, home visits with Community Psychiatric Nurses, case identification and tracking of default clients/patients.
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Our Motivation
We are motivated by the fact that the principles and methods of psychological care can ease the pain of mental illness and that psychology graduates armed with these can make a big difference to the lives of individuals, families and communities, and change the way health care is delivered in Ghana.
Our Core Values - C. A. R. E
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C - Collaboration
We collaborate with stakeholders (families, health providers, caregivers, other NGOs, government agencies) to achieve our objectives of reducing the wide treatment gap and promotion of mental health
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A - Assistance/Accessibility
We want to ensure that every individual has access to mental health care.
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R - Respect
We believe that all people should be treated with dignity and without stigmatization.
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E - Equality/Equity
We believe every individual in Ghana no matter their status deserves fair and optimal mental health services.
Our Corporate Objectives/Goals
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Graduate Training
To train and equip psychology graduates to promote mental health across the country.
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Counseling
To help bridge the mental health treatment gap through lay counseling.
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Professional Training
To offer continuous training for qualified psychologists (clinical, industrial, social psychologists, etc.) in Ghana.
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Partnership
To partner with other mental health organizations to help promote mental health care.
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Workshops & Seminars
To organize training, workshops and seminars for psychologists, counselors, paraprofessionals and other mental health workers.
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Community Internships
To provide community internships both internally and globally
How does Psych Corps work?
As a mental health organization, we shall be guided by the principles and codes of the Ghana Psychological Council Act 857, the Mental Health Act 846, the Patients Charter and the Code of Ethics of the Ghana Health Service
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Areas of Operation
1. Psych Corps Program
2. Training of lay counselors and Psychologist’s Assistants.
3. Developing relevant curricular and job descriptions in mental health
Activity Timeline
Recruiting Students for Psych Corps Program
Every first semester of every academic year, the coordinators embark on recruitment. They request permission from lecturers of fourth-year courses to address students about the Psych Corps program. Interested students provide their contact details, which are stored in a database for follow-up. Notifications about registration are sent via email and SMS.
Training and Orientation
Training and orientation occur during the second semester to prepare students as lay counselors. Conducted using the Psych Corps toolkit developed by Yale University and the University of Ghana, these sessions span three modules per training. Trainers include the program director and patrons, ensuring comprehensive preparation.
Posting and Placement of Psych Corps Members
Post-training, students are assigned to hospitals by the National Service Scheme (NSS). Coordinators provide support by collecting NSS numbers, sending endorsed letters, and ensuring proper placement in mental health or counseling units. Follow-ups are conducted to resolve placement issues.
Monitoring
Monitoring involves regular visits, SMS, calls, and emails to check on PCMs’ progress. Quarterly reports are collected, and a WhatsApp platform provides ongoing support. PCMs are visited at least once or twice before completing service. After service, they receive certificates as lay counselors in addition to NSS certificates.