Attah, R.2023-11-032023-11-032021-12http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/40672MPhil. Counselling PsychologyMany illnesses that affect people are either partly or wholly related to genetics. Diabetes and sickle cell are of no exception. On this premise, this study examined the perception adults with genetic disease have about genetic counselling, their illness beliefs and its impact on their mental health. The study used the concurrent triangulation mixed method approach. A sample of 330 and 12 adults (18years-75years, mean age 44.2) with genetic conditions (i.e. diabetes and sickle cell) were conveniently and purposively selected. The study employed the mixed method approach for its methodology. The data was analyzed using the analytic cross-sectional approach and the thematic approach for the quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The results of the quantitative study revealed that illness perception influenced their level of depression and anxiety but not stress. This further revealed that their genetic illnesses had a toll on their psychological wellbeing. Sickle cell patients reported more mental health problems than type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Gender and level of education did not predict mental health problems. Perception of genetic counselling, impact of genetic condition, causes of genetic condition coping mechanisms, and beliefs about genetic condition were five themes emerged from the qualitative data. Qualitative findings confirmed that illness perception greatly impacted the mental health of adults with genetic conditions. Again, in the qualitative findings, participants with sickle cell reported more mental health problems than those with diabetes. Although, respondents in the qualitative study had fair knowledge about genetic counselling which was not available in Ghana, they perceived genetic counselling and testing to be very essential to them and those at risk of developing a genetic condition. Participant further revealed that genetic education should be done not only at the health service but also all levels of education because knowledge about heritable diseases is low in Ghana. This implies that appropriate psychological interventions, education and counselling will improve their psychological wellbeing and mental health as well as help those at risk take precautionary measuresenGenetic CounsellingMental HealthAdultsIllnessThesis