Collins Yagbil, before he was arrested
A Mental Health expert and Regional
Mental Health Coordinator at the Upper East Regional Health Directorate, Edem
Quarshie Ameglah, says family members and communities have the responsibility
to report or assist persons with mental health problems or showing signs of
mental disorders to get medical attention.
According to him, before persons with
mental health problems start causing troubles in public and become dangerous to
themselves and society, they show little signs at home and if the family
members are observant they will identify these signs as associated with mental
health challenges and call for immediate medical assistance.
“Unfortunately even if families
see these signs, many of them try to cover them up to avoid their relatives
being labeled as “mad”, then one day, the unexpected happens.”
He said.
Mr. Amegle was speaking in connection
with the 35 year old man, Collins Yagbil who sacrificed his children to his
gods and killed his wife for trying to stop him from sacrificing the children.
Some community members say the man
had a history of behaving abnormally sometimes, but they always thought he had
been possessed by these gods and so did not see that it was a mental problem.
They believe that on the day he tried
to sacrifice his children to his gods, he may have been possessed by his gods
and not with his own mind.
“Sometimes he is nice and walks
around soberly and sometimes he becomes abusive and misbehaves. During this
period you only watch him do his thing; nobody wants to have problems with him,
because he would always say he is a “Tindana” (Traditional
Priest/Landlord).” A community member said.
On Thursday, June 27, Collins Yagbil
35 came under a community attack and was nearly lynched for sacrificing his
children to his gods and killing his wife too, but was saved by the Police and
arrested.
The police had a tough time taking
the suspect out of the community, because person related to the wife were bent
on lynching him.
In recent time, some “men of
God” in some viral videos have been seen taking some actions that
indicated that they are possessed by some spirit and yet members of their
congregations have not made any attempts at getting them some medical
attention.
Meanwhile Daily Guide has learnt that the son of Collins Yagbil survived despite the cutting and he is responding to treatment at a health facility the family is keeping away from the public.
FROM: Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga
