The Acting Chief Executive of the Mental Health Authority (MHA), Dr Eugene K. Dordoye, has urged Ghanaians to change the way suicide is understood and reported, calling for a national shift from punishment to compassion.

Addressing a press conference in Accra to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, Dr Dordoye said stigma and criminalisation had for decades forced many in distress into silence, denying them the opportunity to seek help.

“Pain was penalised, and despair was punished,” he observed.

“But in 2023, Ghana turned a page by decriminalising suicide, signalling that it is not a crime but a cry for help.”

He noted that Ghana’s reforms place the country among a growing number of nations advancing suicide prevention through compassion, in line with global best practice.

However, he cautioned that the statistics remain troubling. Data from the District Health Information Management System (DHIMS) revealed that 134 lives were lost to suicide in 2024 — a 40 per cent increase from 2023 — while 1,174 people attempted suicide. In the first half of 2025 alone, 475 attempts have already been reported.

“Behind each statistic is a life cut short and a family devastated,” Dr Dordoye stressed. “These figures call for urgent action.”

He outlined four key priorities for Ghana’s suicide prevention strategy: expanding public education and awareness, training frontline workers to recognise warning signs, securing sustainable funding through the Mental Health Fund, and strengthening partnerships across government, civil society and communities.

Turning to the role of the media, Dr Dordoye appealed for responsible reporting aligned with World Health Organisation standards.

He urged outlets to avoid sensational headlines and details of methods, and instead highlight stories of resilience and promote helplines. “Be partners in hope, not amplifiers of despair,” he said.

The Mental Health Authority reminded the public that its toll-free helpline (0800 678 678) remains active, offering free and confidential support.

Concluding his address, Dr Dordoye said: “When silence is broken, hope begins to speak. Together, we can build a Ghana where no one suffers in silence, and every life is valued.”