Common presenting problems in religious lay counselling practice in Ghana

Abstract

Mental help systems in Ghana are overwhelmed with severe and chronic mental health issues. Yet, rapid urbanisation is contributing to a weakening of traditional help systems. Religious organisations offer a viable option through counselling ministries and groups. To understand the role lay counselling plays in the help system in Ghana, we interviewed one hundred (N = 100; age range: 24–80) lay counsellors practising mainly in Christian and Islamic religious contexts across four urban centres in Ghana. The purpose was to examine what people seek counselling for; and assess how this legitimatises lay counselling as part of the existing system of care in Ghana. Findings show that most presenting problems are interpersonal in nature and are typically low level, non-life threatening issues. Presenting problems did not focus on mental disorders. The implications of these findings are discussed along with directions for future studies.