World Suicide Prevention Day: Association of Psychologists calls for quality mental health services nationwide
By Solomon Nartey Tetteh
The Ghana Psychological Association (GPA) has joined the global community in marking this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, calling on Ghanaians to change how suicide is perceived, discussed and addressed.
The 2025 observance, themed “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, urges families, communities, institutions and leaders to move away from silence, shame and stigma, and instead show compassion and support to people at risk.
“Suicide is not merely a private tragedy; it is a global public health crisis that impacts every facet of our lives,” the Association said in a statement.
Suicide Situation in Ghana
Recent statistics highlight the urgency of the problem in Ghana.
According to the Mental Health Authority, there were 543 suicide attempts and 81 completed suicides recorded in the first half of 2024 alone.
In 2023, 594 attempts and 48 completed suicides were reported.
A 2022 study by Oppong Asante et al. revealed that among Ghanaian school-going adolescents, 18.2 per cent had experienced suicidal thoughts, while 22.2 per cent had attempted suicide.
Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 70 per cent of suicide deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where access to mental health services remains limited.
The GPA stressed that confronting the silence and cultural stigma surrounding suicide is essential for prevention.
It noted that signs such as social withdrawal, expressions of hopelessness, mood swings, or talk of being a burden should never be dismissed as mere phases.
“Speaking openly about suicide does not increase risk; instead, it creates a pathway for relief, understanding and professional intervention,” the statement added, urging schools, workplaces and faith-based institutions to create safe spaces for such conversations.
The Association welcomed Ghana’s historic step of decriminalising attempted suicide through the passage of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which reclassified attempted suicide as a mental health concern rather than a crime.
It, however, urged policymakers to address barriers to expanding quality mental health services across the country.
While praising the establishment of suicide helplines and crisis response teams by the Mental Health Authority, the GPA emphasised the need for greater investment, resources and nationwide reach.
The Association reaffirmed its commitment to education, advocacy and accessible mental health care.
It also called for the integration of life-skills education, resilience training and mental health awareness in schools.
“On this World Suicide Prevention Day, we call on every Ghanaian to be part of the change. Let us replace silence with dialogue, stigma with compassion and despair with hope. Together, by changing the narrative, we can save lives,” the GPA said.
