The executive director of the Mental Health Institute Dr Yennusom Maalug has called on individuals and organisations to contribute their quota towards the prevention of suicide in Ghana.
Maalug explained that suicide is a deliberate act of taking one’s life in a culturally unacceptable manner.
He pointed out that the UN through WHO aims at a 1/3rd reduction of global suicide rates by 2030 in line with SDG 3.4 target.
The World Health Organization reported in 2020 that approximately 1,993 suicides occurred in Ghana annually. A report in Ghana on suicide attempt trends over four years also revealed that 707 suicide attempts occurred in 2018, 880 in 2019, 777 in 2020 and 417 as of June 2021.
Speaking at an awareness creation forum with staff of FrieslandCampina at Volta Place, Airport Residential on the theme “Zero Male Suicide” in Accra as part of this year’s International Men’s Day celebration Dr Maalug said suicide is preventable.
Maalug also added his voice on the need for a National Suicide strategy to reduce the rate of suicides in Ghana.
He intimated that such a National Strategy on suicide by Ghana will go a long way to provide home-made but pertinent proposals and guidelines in the areas of suicide research, surveillance, and responsible media reportage.
A national suicide plan, he further added will offer support for persons in suicidal crises, make provision for family members left behind or bereaved by suicides and also provide a standard framework for non-governmental organizations involved in suicide prevention.
The audience were very grateful and expressed their appreciation towards TMI for their impactful presentation.
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