Introduction

All over the world, September 10th every year, is set aside as Suicide Prevention Day. This year, the day is being marked under the theme 'Creating Hope Through Action'. On this day, PAG will like to educate the general public about suicides, decrease stigma around it, and convey the message that suicide is not the solution and can be prevented. Education and awareness about suicide have become extremely important now, more than ever because suicide cases and suicide attempts are on the increase in Ghana. According to the statistics by the mental health Authority, in 2018 the number of people who attempted suicide was 797. This rose to 880 in 2019 and marginally dropped to 777 in 2020. Cases of attempted suicide rose to 902 in 2021 while those who died by suicide went up from 69 in 2020 to 86 in 2021. There are others that are also not reported because of stigma and fear of community and legal repercussions. This implies that these figures could potentially even be higher than we know. Globally, the statistics still stands at “somebody dies by suicide every 40 seconds”! These rise in numbers may be due to social pressures, economic challenges, family difficulties, workplace difficulties, domestic issues, challenges of raising children, etc. These challenges can further precipitate mental disorders like depression, Anxiety Disorder, Substance Misuse Disorder or Psychosis.

ACTION POINTS

This year’s theme is calling each one of us to act! We can act by recognising suicide warning signs, decriminalising attempted suicide and seeking help. Common warning signs of suicide are:

1. Active suicidal thinking and verbalizing.

2. Expressions of hopelessness and depression.

3. Sudden recklessness, impulsivity and dramatic mood changes.

4. Persistent anxiety and agitation.

5. Expressions of feeling trapped.

6. Expressions of no reasons for living, no purpose in life

7. Increased alcohol or substance abuse

8. Giving prized gifts and/or setting house in order

9. Speaking in metaphors about travelling to a remote/unreachable place

10. Withdrawal from friends and unexcited about life

11. Acquisition of common items for suicide like rope, gun and poison in an individual who has recently changed

Decriminalising suicide behaviours

Suicide attempt is a cry for help. People who attempt suicide should not be punished by the law but should be offered help as many of them have untreated mental or emotional challenges. Stakeholders have made some progress in the advocacy to decriminalise suicide attempt. A private member’s bill sponsored by the chairman of the legal, constitutional, and parliamentary committee of Parliament and his ranking member is seeking to have the law criminalising attempted suicide repealed from our criminal code. we should not relent in this advocacy to take every opportunity to remind our honourable members to repeal the Act.

Seek help

No one needs to die by suicide. Members of the Psychiatric Association of Ghana are spread across the country and are ready to render help if you call through these national helplines.

020-000-9997,

020-681-4666,

050-344-4793

Conclusion

Let’s all act towards a suicide-free world, check up on someone today, get help for yourself today, suicide is not an option.

Thank you.

DR. RUTH OWUSU-ANTWI

PRESIDENT, PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION OF GHANA