Lack Of Social Support System Major Cause Of Suicides In Ghana - Clinical Psychologist

The recent spate of suicides among Ghanaian youth has been blamed on the lack of social support system in the country by a clinical psychologist, Dr. Joseph Osafo.

According to him, the situation is epidemic following reported cases on a daily basis and should be blamed on poor mental health service structures in the country; thus the leading cause of suicide is depression.

Recently, two female students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Ghana (UG) committed suicide.

While the KNUST lady was a first year students who hanged herself with a rope in her room, the UG student, in her final year, jumped to her death from a storey building.

A man in his 30s was reported have committed suicide at Achimota in Accra while another 16-year-old Junior High School (JHS) student in the Eastern Region hanged herself in her parents’ kitchen.

Also, a lady believed to be a resident of Ekye-Amanfrom at Afram Plains in the Eastern Region has allegedly committed suicide. Her body was found hanging from a reservoir near the Ekye Presbyterian Health Centre on Monday, March 13.

Speaking in an interview with Nana Yaa Konadu on Peace FM’s 'Asomdwoe Nkommo', Dr. Joseph Osafo mentioned that other causes of suicide are previous suicide attempts, substance abuse, mental disorders, incarceration, exposure to suicidal behaviour, taking antidepressant medications and a history of being abused or witnessing continued abuse.

Dr. Joseph Osafo reiterated that the suicide trend is disturbing; blaming it on the failure of the society to support its youth by ensuring that efficient and accessible support systems are in place to help build the mental fortitude of the youth and students in particular in their times of weakness and susceptibility.

“It is important that as a society, we pay particular attention to young people because those who attempt suicide are more likely to finally die by their own hands, whether by intent or accident,” he added.

He therefore urged Parliament to review the criminalization of the suicide law in Section 57 Clause 2 of the 1960 Criminal Code in the country so that persons who have the intention to commit or are contemplating the act can come forward for help.

He again called on the government to post psychologists to all Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions and a well-equipped Counselling Centres in hospitals.