WHO, GASP Train Journalists on Responsible Suicide Reporting
The World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with the Association for Suicide Prevention Ghana (GASP), has organised a training workshop in Kumasi to equip media practitioners in the middle belt with skills for responsible suicide reporting.
The workshop, the second in a planned series, brought together 30 journalists from the Ashanti, Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions. Participants were taken through WHO-recommended guidelines on suicide reporting, mental health awareness, stigma reduction and the unique cultural context of suicide in Ghana.
Project Lead and President of GASP, Prof Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie, underscored the influential role of the media in shaping public attitudes and behaviour, noting that irresponsible reporting can have far-reaching consequences.
“The media is one of the most powerful influences on public perception. When suicide is reported in a stigmatizing or sensational manner, it directly affects vulnerable people, especially young adults, children and persons with underlying mental health conditions,” he said.
Prof Quarshie observed that stigma surrounding mental health remains widespread in Ghana, stressing the need for journalists to adapt to approved reporting standards that promote prevention rather than harm.
“This is the time for media practitioners to align their work with WHO guidelines so that our communication improves the situation and does not worsen an already fragile reality,” he added.
During the training, participants were introduced to suicide-friendly terminologies that respect the dignity and privacy of survivors while helping to prevent copycat suicides. Journalists were also advised to avoid sensational headlines and graphic details, and to include expert commentary and helpline information in suicide-related stories.
Prof Quarshie, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Psychology, further cautioned against the continued use of phrases such as “commit suicide,” explaining that attempted suicide is no longer a criminal offence in Ghana.
“Language matters. Words can either deepen stigma or promote understanding and hope,” he noted.
Beyond journalism, Prof Quarshie appealed to movie producers and content creators to be mindful of how their stories affect audiences, particularly children and adolescents.
GASP, a non-profit organisation launched in 2022, aims to provide empathic, evidence-informed and culturally sensitive suicide prevention services. The association has three Members of Parliament, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, Bernard Ahiafor and Francis Xavier Sosu, as life patrons, alongside leading psychologists.
Through its partnership with WHO, GASP hopes to foster a more informed, responsible and supportive media environment that contributes to saving lives rather than inadvertently putting them at risk.
