The Ghana Psychological Association has called on Ghanaians, the government and civil society organisations (CSOs) to contribute meaningfully toward the prevention of suicide, as one in 10 adults in rural communities, think about taking their own lives in the country.

According to a study conducted by the association, similarly, nearly three in 10 junior high school students in the country report attempting suicide in the past 12 months, while two out of 10 senior high school students report attempting suicide during the past 12 months.

Also, among school-going deaf adolescents, one in 10 students reports attempting suicide in the past 12 months.

Across second cycle schools, about two in 10 students report intentional self-injury or self-poisoning in their lifetime.

Furthermore, two out of five adolescents who identify as LGBT, engage in self-poisoning or self-injurious behaviours.

According to the association, further studies revealed that nearly three in 10 police officers in urban Ghana, report having had thoughts about taking their own lives during the previous 12 months while ongoing research indicates that some displaced staff and survivors of the recent banking sector clean-up have contemplated and attempted suicide.

These the Ghana Psychological Association revealed the statistics to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) which falls on Thursday, 10 September 2020, on the theme: ‘Working together to prevent suicide’.

The theme, according to the Ghana Psychological Association, is a clarion call for a collective effort toward suicide prevention “because suicide prevention is everyone’s business.”

The association has, thus, called on Ghanaians to encourage 10 persons in distress to seek help.