The Mental Health Authority in Ghana has revealed that divorce, relationship breakups, graduate unemployment and financial distress are the leading causes of suicide in Ghana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Authority, people between the ages of 16 and 35 years have been the most affected in recent times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The number of people attempting suicide in Ghana increased from 777 cases recorded in 2020 to 902 cases in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, the actual suicide incidences recorded for the same period jumped from 69 cases in 2020 to 86 cases in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Authority, Prof. Akwasi Osei, stated that this worrying situation requires immediate attention to help stop the surge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to get a policy that will determine a systematic approach of handling issues,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a step forward, the authority is developing helplines for people in need of mental health support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Prof. Osei noted that one of the challenges is that the line is not toll-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo we need a policy that will ensure that we have the health line and the toll-free line is paid for and everybody can call in freely and people have a basic understanding,\u201d Prof Osei said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was speaking at the launch of the WHO Director General\u2019s Special Initiative for Mental Health in Accra on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n