A psychiatric resident at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Edwin Frimpong-Boakye Yiadom, has emphasized the significance of giving proper attention to sleep as a crucial means of enhancing one's mental well-being.

Speaking to the media, he indicated that adequate sleep is essential for maintaining an active and healthy body, while sleep deprivation can impair both mental and physical functioning.

Mr Yiadom highlighted that the amount of sleep required can vary from person to person.

He mentioned, "The first thing I will prescribe is sleep. The truth is that everybody requires enough sleep. Some people give a time frame, but it’s actually different per person. Some people will be fine with just three hours, and others may need 10 hours of sleep. You just have to know yourself. You will know how many hours of sleep your body needs."

Furthermore, he established a direct connection between sleep and mental health, explaining that mental health issues can disrupt sleep patterns, and poor sleep can exacerbate mental health challenges. Scientific research has also linked sleep deprivation to physical ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, premature aging, and, in severe cases, road accidents leading to fatalities.

Dr. Yiadom strongly advocates for prioritizing adequate sleep as one of the fundamental remedies for preserving and enhancing mental health.

Additionally, he underscored the role of proper nutrition in maintaining and improving mental health. The psychiatrist highlights that the body's nutritional intake significantly influences its functioning, affecting movement and the immune system. Therefore, maintaining a healthy diet is vital.

“The thing we are pushing the most now is encouraging people to seek help. This is because there are many people who have developed a number of things but, out of fear of being tagged as mad when they visit the psychiatric hospital, (they) shy away from seeking help. So just seek help, eat right, and sleep more,” he explained.

Yiadom acknowledges the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues and emphasizes the importance of overcoming this stigma. He encourages individuals to prioritize their mental health and seek assistance when needed, emphasizing that it can be life-saving.

He also recognizes the inevitability of stress in people's lives and advises individuals to pay close attention to stress triggers and develop effective coping strategies for longevity and mental well-being.