World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete, physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity (WHO, 2012). Unfortunately, in some parts of the world and Ghana in particular, less emphasis is laid on the mental wellbeing of people (Agyapong & Mantey, 2011; Fournier, 2011; Basic Needs, 2014). World Health Organisation, (2013) posits that without mental health, there can be no health since they make a substantial independent contribution to the burden of diseases (14%), albeit underestimated. Studies have shown that surgery and pharmaceuticals are not the only effective procedures used to improve health, but also the natural human tendency to care for fellow humans in supporting them with social networks through support services (Lourel, Hartmann, Closon, Mouda, & Petric-Tatu, 2013; WHO, 2014; Basic Needs, 2014; World Happiness Report, 2015; World Federation for Mental Health, 2015). A better understanding of social support services available for people with mental health challenges is therefore needed given the dearth of knowledge on this important component of health. The main aim of this study is therefore to explore available social support for people who are mentally challenged and whether the availability of these social supports have any effect on mental disability. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques are used to collect, analyse and present the findings. Implications for policy and practice are subsequently.

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