The Association for Suicide Prevention Ghana (GASP) has raised concern over the growing mental health challenges confronting young people in Ghana, citing a study which found that 25.1 percent of school-going adolescents reported experiencing suicidal thoughts within a 12-month period.
The association says the finding highlights the urgent need for parents, teachers, school authorities and communities to pay closer attention to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of young people.
In a statement to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2026, GASP said the study involved 1,101 school-going adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19.
“A study involving 1,101 school-going adolescents aged 10-19 years in Ghana found that 25.1% reported suicidal thoughts within the previous 12 months. These figures represent reported cases and may partly reflect improved reporting following the decriminalisation of attempted suicide in Ghana” the statement issued under the signatories of Prof. E. Nii-Boye Quarshie, President of the Association and Ms. Akosua Donkor, Head of Communications & Campaigns said.
According to the association, the figures should serve as a wake-up call for Ghana to strengthen mental health support systems for students and create safe environments where young people can speak openly about emotional distress.
GASP says students experiencing suicidal thoughts should not be labelled as weak or simply told to “be strong,” stressing that such responses could leave vulnerable young people feeling more isolated.
“A person experiencing suicidal thoughts is not weak, bad or simply someone who needs to ‘be strong,’” GASP stated.
The association explained that people experiencing suicidal thoughts may be dealing with overwhelming psychological pain and may require understanding, support and access to appropriate care.
It urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and other adults who interact with young people to take expressions of emotional distress seriously rather than dismissing them.
GASP also cautioned against responses that may unintentionally discourage young people from seeking help.
According to the association, statements such as “just pray harder,” “think positively” or “forget about it” may make people experiencing emotional distress feel even more isolated.
The association acknowledged the important role of faith and spirituality in providing support, but stressed that spiritual support should complement, rather than replace, professional mental health care when additional help is required.
“Changing the narrative begins with compassion, listening and recognising that mental health is part of overall health. There cannot be health without mental health,” GASP stated.
GASP is therefore calling for suicide prevention and mental health conversations to become part of everyday life in Ghanaian schools, homes, workplaces, health facilities, places of worship and online communities.
The association believes schools in particular have an important role to play because students spend a significant part of their lives within the educational environment.
Teachers and school authorities, it says, should be better equipped to identify signs of emotional distress and connect students who need help to appropriate professional services.
Ghana’s Suicide Situation
GASP said Ghana recorded 134 suicide deaths in 2024, alongside more than 1,100 reported suicide attempts.
The association further cited early reports from 2025 indicating that 175 suicide deaths were recorded within the first six months of that year.
It noted that the figures represent reported cases and may partly reflect improved reporting following the decriminalisation of attempted suicide in Ghana.
However, GASP says the figures reinforce the need for stronger prevention measures and accessible mental health services.
Globally, the association noted that an estimated 727,000 people died by suicide in 2021, while a more recent analysis puts the figure at approximately 746,000 deaths.
“Behind every statistic is a person – a family member, friend, colleague, neighbour or loved one,” the statement said.
According to GASP, every suicide death leaves lasting emotional, social and economic consequences for families and communities.
GASP Calls for Change in Suicide Narrative
This year’s World Suicide Prevention Day forms part of the final year of the three-year global theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” which runs from 2024 to 2026.
GASP says changing the narrative means moving away from silence, stigma, myths and misunderstanding towards openness, empathy and support.
The association is encouraging individuals, communities, organisations and governments to engage in honest conversations about suicide and strengthen systems that can help people experiencing emotional distress.
GASP also announced the development of the “Ghana Guidelines for Appropriate Media Reporting of Suicide”, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the media and mental health sectors, including the Mental Health Authority and the World Health Organization.
The guidelines are being launched by the Mental Health Authority as part of efforts to improve the way suicide is reported and discussed in Ghana.
GASP says responsible media reporting can help raise awareness and encourage people to seek help while avoiding approaches that may worsen stigma or cause harm.
Helpline
The association is urging people experiencing emotional distress, as well as those concerned about someone, to seek professional help.
The Mental Health Authority’s toll-free helpline is 0800 678 678. The Authority confirms the number on its official website as its contact/call-centre line.
GASP is encouraging Ghanaians to make a commitment to ask, listen, support and connect people to care.
“Suicide prevention is everyone’s business; let’s start the conversation today!” the association said.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
