Accra: The Association for Suicide Prevention Ghana (GASP) has made a compelling appeal for individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to engage in open and honest dialogues addressing the causes of suicidal behavior. The aim is to bolster efforts in suicide prevention across various societal levels.
According to Ghana News Agency, GASP emphasized the importance of stakeholders committing to actions such as asking, listening, supporting, and connecting people to adequate care. This initiative is crucial for cultivating a society where no one endures mental health struggles in silence. The call to action was made in a statement jointly signed by Professor Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie, President, and Ms. Akosua Donkor, Head of Communications and Campaigns, in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day.
The theme for this year's observance, 'Changing the Narrative on Suicide,' focuses on transforming societal understanding of suicide from one shrouded in silence to one characterized by openness, empathy, and support. The statement highlighted sobering statistics: Ghana recorded 134 suicide deaths in 2024, along with over 1,100 reported suicide attempts. Preliminary reports from 2025 indicated a rise, with 175 suicide deaths recorded in the first half of the year.
The statement also referenced a study involving 1,101 school-going adolescents aged 10 to 19 in Ghana, revealing that 25.1 percent had experienced suicidal thoughts in the past year. It stressed that each statistic represents a person whose death has far-reaching emotional, social, and economic impacts on those left behind.
Despite the widespread impact, GASP noted that suicide remains enveloped in silence, stigma, myths, and misunderstanding. Many individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts suffer alone due to fear of judgment or lack of knowledge on where to seek help. The statement underscored the necessity of integrating suicide prevention into everyday conversations across homes, schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities, places of worship, and online communities.
GASP called for stronger suicide prevention measures, increased access to mental health support services, and greater compassion towards those experiencing emotional distress. The Association urged public support in promoting mental wellbeing and creating safe spaces where individuals can seek help without fear of stigma or discrimination.