Health professionals at the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) have warned men against using alcohol and drugs as a means to cope with stress. They emphasised that these substances only provide temporary relief, leaving the underlying issues unresolved. Instead, men facing emotional or psychological challenges are encouraged to seek support from family members, trusted friends, religious leaders, and mental health professionals.
Dr. Edward Amoah Boateng, a Consultant General Surgeon at IMaH, spoke during a media forum on men’s mental health organised by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). He stated that alcohol and drugs have never provided a permanent solution to stress. “Alcohol won’t help. Drugs won’t help,” he emphasised, explaining that while alcohol may temporarily distract individuals from their problems, it ultimately magnifies them once the effects wear off. “It only takes your mind off the problem for a short time, and when you return to it, you find it even more overwhelming,” he added.
He therefore encouraged men experiencing emotional pressure to adopt healthier coping strategies, indicating that regular physical activity was one of the ways people could manage stress.
Dr Boateng explained that activities such as going to the gym, participating in health walks, and other forms of exercise helped the body cope better with stress, emphasising that exercise caused the body to release endorphins while reducing cortisol levels, thereby helping individuals sleep better and manage stressful situations.
The consultant surgeon also encouraged men to confide in trusted family members and friends whenever they felt overwhelmed, as sharing problems with trusted people could provide emotional relief and help individuals obtain the support they needed. He further advised people to seek assistance from religious leaders, including chaplains and imams, as well as qualified mental health professionals.
Clinical psychologists, he explained, are trained to assist individuals facing emotional and psychological challenges, emphasising that “if you feel you’ve reached that point, consult a clinical psychologist.” Adams Umar Mengo, Head of Administration at IMaH, highlighted substance abuse as a behavioural change families should watch for, noting that some men manage to hide their drug use even from those they live with. “It is possible for spouses to live with men for years without realising they are struggling with drugs,” he observed.
Mengo therefore urged families to remain vigilant and attentive to behavioural shifts that may signal underlying mental health issues. Dr. Kissi Dompreh-Ofori, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of IMaH, added that certain workers in the port community resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol and substance use, in response to work-related pressures. He stressed that these practices point to the urgent need for greater mental health awareness and improved access to professional support services.
The IMaH officials encouraged men to seek help early whenever they experienced persistent stress rather than relying on alcohol or drugs to cope with emotional or psychological challenges.
Source: GNA
