By Bazona Barnabe Bado
The Ghanaian Mental Well-being Project is an ongoing collaborative community-based initiative aimed at documenting the current understanding of mental well-being and identifying factors that may increase the risk of stress, anxiety, and depression among Ghanaian immigrants living in New York City. The project is funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.
https://ghanaianmentalwellbeing.org.
Assistant professor Margrethe Horlyck-Romanovsky in the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Brooklyn College and Ramatu Hamed representing the African Life Centre, both actively involved in the project are shedding light on the project.
The African Journal (A J) : Please introduce yourself to our readers
Margrethe Horlyck-Romanovsky (MHR): My name is Margrethe Horlyck-Romanovsky, I am Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Brooklyn College and the NYC-based Principal investigator (PI) of the NYC Ghanaian Mental Well-being Project.
A J: As an assistant professor of health and nutrition sciences, how can you define mental health?
MHR: Mental health is often believed to be about mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, paranoia, and autism. In fact, mental health can be defined as emotional well-being, good behavioral adjustment, relative freedom from anxiety and psychological distress, the ability to form and maintain healthy relationships, and the ability to cope with the everyday demands and stresses of life.
A J: What is the most prevalent mental health issue among the African or Ghanaian community in New York?
MHR: One of the reasons why we are doing this project is that we don’t have a lot of quantitative evidence of how the Ghanaian community is doing. The goal of our project is not to diagnose mental health issues, but to support the Ghanaian community in gain an understanding what mental health issues they may be experiencing such as stress, anxiety and depression, and how to prevent and cope in healthy ways. Nevertheless, in the US population, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and substance use disorders are the most common mental health issues. Mental illness affects about 26% of people living in the United States at any given time. But we do not know what the numbers are for the African and Ghanaian communities. The current phase in our study may give us a better idea of what specific issues are most common in the Ghanaian community. What is also important to remember is that severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia are very rare and affect less than 1% of the population, and that behavioral interventions and treatments are available for people with mental health conditions to live healthy and productive lives.
A J: What are the causes of mental health issue (s)?
MHR: Mental health issues are multifactorial. Just like our physical health, our mental health is shaped by genetics, lived experiences, environmental factors, social factors, and structural factors. Mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression can be brought on by everyday life, high expectations from ourselves, obligations to family and friends, experiences of prejudice, and of course all the challenges associated with immigrating to the US and succeeding in keeping everyone safe, fed, housed, and successful. Mental health issues can also be caused by traumatic experiences in the present or from the past.
A J: What can the community do to avoid mental health issue (s)?
MHR: As with physical health, the most effective ways to promote mental well-being is to eat healthy foods, drink lots of water, get good sleep, avoid stressors, avoid stimulants such as alcohol, tobacco, recreational drugs, spend quality time with family and friends, be in the moment, and enjoy small, beautiful, funny or meaningful things around you. But it can be difficult to live optimally when life in New York City is demanding, difficult and stressful.
A J: Obesity is a health issue in the U.S. Does obesity categorize as mental health issue?
MHR: Obesity is not typically thought of as a mental health issue, but it can relate to depression in multiple ways. For example, depression can lead to overeating, lethargy, and decreased metabolism which may lead to weight gain. Alternatively, People who are living with obesity are a higher risk of having depression. Some medications used to treat mental illnesses can have side effects such as weight gain, but obesity is not in itself considering a mental illness.
A J: Does obesity constitute a health issue for the African or Ghanaian community in New York?
MHR: In my other research projects, where we examined the risk of obesity and diabetes among people from Africa and the Caribbean, we found that African immigrants in general are less likely to have obesity than Caribbean and African American people, but still more likely to have obesity than White people.
A J: What is the goal of the Ghanaian Mental health Project?
MHR: The Ghanaian Mental Well-being Project has two main goals, 1.to collaborate with the community to document the current understanding of mental well-being and identifying factors that may increase the risk of stress, anxiety, and depression among Ghanaian immigrants living in New York City, and 2. To develop and test a health education project to see if we can improve mental health, make it easier to talk about mental health, and support the community in adopting healthy ways to cope with stress, anxiety and depression.
A J: Why does the project specifically focus on Ghanaian community?
MHR: The Ghanaian community is the largest African-born population in New York City. Our research leadership team consists of 3 Ghanaian immigrants, 1 Sierra Leonian immigrant, and me. We came together because the Ghanaian community had voiced concern about mental health, the effects it was having on both the young and old, and the stigma that surrounded it. As public health practitioners, we are trained to listen to the concerns of communities and collaborate with them to find ways to help.
A J: Does the door open for other community groups to benefit from Ghanaian Mental health Project?
MHR: Yes, the purpose of the current research project is to provide an evidence base for identifying areas where the Ghanaian community and potentially other African immigrant communities could benefit from additional and culturally relevant support in maintaining mental well-being and dealing with mental health issues. The results will be made available to the community in multiple ways (Town Halls, reports, website updates, etc.). The results will also be made available to the scientific community, hospitals, primary care providers, and community-based organizations through scientific publications, conference presentations, and Town Halls. If successful and effective, the pilot intervention materials will likely be made available to other organizations who wish you implement it. 
A J: What African or Ghanaian community can do to stay healthy?
MHR: The African immigrant communities in New York City are already doing lots of good things for themselves. Dedicating themselves to building and participating in cultural organizations, religious and spiritual communities; celebrating cultural events together; enjoying the benefits of living in the US; and celebrating the successes of the community despite all the obstacles. As I said before, the most effective ways to stay healthy is to eat healthy foods, drink lots of water, get good sleep, avoid stressors, avoid stimulants such as alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs, spend quality time with family and friends, be in the moment, and give yourselves grace.
A J: Do you have a specific message for the African or Ghanaian community in New York?
MHR: We have had the privilege of collaborating with the Ghanaian community since 2016, and what has stood out to me is the incredible resilience, innovation, and determination to succeed in the United States. But that level of determination and pressure can also take a toll on your physical and mental health. My message to the community is: your health is part of your success. It is okay to slow down, to ask for help, to talk about stress or emotional difficulties, and to make your well-being a priority. -and of course, once in a while, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Seeking support and caring for oneself are not signs of weakness, they are signs of strength and wisdom.
“We are currently making progress toward our goals”
Ramatu Ahmed (RA): I am Ramatu Ahmed, representing the African Life Centre and its Ghana branch.
A J: What is the NYC Ghanaian Mental Well-Being Project, and what is your role?
RA: The NYC Ghanaian Mental Well-Being Project is a research initiative examining how Ghanaian-born individuals living in New York City understand and perceive mental health. In my role leading community outreach and research, I direct field teams in targeted recruitment across NYC Ghanaian enclaves, including churches, mosques, and cultural groups, using culturally responsive strategies that honor traditional structures while fostering safe spaces for mental health dialogue.
A J: What is the project’s goal?
R A: The primary goal of the project is to gather qualitative and quantitative data through participant responses to better understand the community’s mental health needs and perspectives.
A J: Why focus on NYC Ghanaians?
R A: The study specifically focuses on NYC Ghanaians because there is a distinct need for targeted data regarding the mental well-being of this specific immigrant demographic within New York City. The Ghanaian community is the largest African immigrant group in NYC. Additionally, the community itself identified a need to better understand mental health, destigmatize it within families and the broader community, and access culturally competent care.
A J: When did the project begin?
R A: The project officially launched in 2023.
A J: How long will it continue?
RA: It is a four-year initiative, with completion targeted for 2027.
A J: What impact has it had?
RA: The project has significantly raised mental health awareness within the community. It provides participants with medical insight into mental health while remaining deeply respectful of their cultural beliefs and values.
A J: Have you met your goals so far?
RA: We are currently making progress toward our goals, though we are still actively working to reach our full target participant count before compiling the final research findings.
A J: Will you expand to other New York communities?
RA: At this stage, the scope of the research is exclusively limited to Ghanaian-born residents within New York City.
A J: What is your message about mental health?
RA: My core message is that mental health conditions carry no shame and should not be stigmatized. With early awareness and culturally appropriate interventions, mental health challenges are both preventable and treatable.