Stigma is the Greatest Barrier to Suicide Prevention: Choose Compassion, Open Dialogue, and Support

Suicide is one of the most urgent yet least understood public health challenges of our time. Each year, more than 700,000 people lose their lives to suicide worldwide. Behind every statistic is a story of silence, stigma, and pain. These deaths are preventable, yet prevention is too often obstructed by myths, fear, and a culture that discourages open discussion.

In 2003, the World Health Organization and the International Association for Suicide Prevention instituted September 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day to raise awareness and encourage action. The theme for 2024–2026, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” emphasizes the importance of beginning conversations that can reduce stigma, foster understanding, and ultimately save lives.

At the commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day 2025 on September 10, the Ghana Association for Suicide Prevention (GASP) stressed that stigma remains the single greatest barrier to suicide prevention. Suicide, the Association noted, continues to be misunderstood and misrepresented across society, religion, and law.

At the societal level, it is often regarded as a moral failing, casting those in crisis as outcasts. Within religious contexts, it is frequently labeled as sin, inviting judgment rather than compassion. In legal systems where attempted suicide is criminalized, survivors are treated as offenders instead of people in need of care. These misconceptions, GASP emphasized, reinforce silence, discourage help-seeking, and deepen the suffering of those at risk.

Recent data from the Upper West Region highlights the urgency of addressing suicide prevention nationwide. In the first half of 2025 alone, the region recorded 26 reported cases of attempted suicide—3 males and 23 females—compared to just 9 cases in 2023 and 12 in 2024. Tragically, there was also one completed suicide involving a man during this period. The surge in cases has been linked to relationship challenges, depression, alcohol use, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse. Most individuals who attempted suicide fall within the youthful age range of 26 to 43 years, underscoring a disturbing trend that echoes a national concern.

The Mental Health Authority has reminded the public that suicide is preventable and has urged individuals to seek help when struggling. This evidence further reinforces the need for communities to adopt supportive attitudes, dismantle stigma, and provide avenues for care and intervention.

Research consistently shows that open, empathetic conversations help break down barriers to prevention. By replacing silence with dialogue and condemnation with understanding, communities can create an environment where people in distress feel able to seek help. Changing the narrative is about shifting from stigma and fear to compassion, courage, and hope.

In Ghana, the repeal of the law criminalizing attempted suicide marks a significant step forward. GASP commends this decision, which paves the way for more compassionate interventions. However, progress must be matched with action. It is vital for government and stakeholders to strengthen mental health and social welfare systems so they are equipped to handle the increased demand for services in the post-decriminalization era.

The media also has a critical role in shaping public understanding. Responsible reporting can inspire compassion and encourage help-seeking, while sensational or insensitive coverage can deepen stigma. To support this, GASP is launching two key resources: the Ghana Guidelines for Appropriate Media Reporting of Suicide and the Ghana Suicide Reporting Scorecard. These initiatives will equip media practitioners with tools to steer public dialogue responsibly and foster a culture of empathy.

Suicide prevention requires collective effort. It calls for policies that prioritize mental health, improved access to care, and communities that offer support to the vulnerable. Most importantly, it challenges individuals and institutions alike to begin conversations that replace fear with hope and isolation with solidarity. In Ghana, immediate help is available through the toll-free line 0800-678-678 or by email at suicideprevention.ghana@gmail.com.

Turning Point Foundation joins GASP in marking World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 with a strong call for greater collaboration across all sectors—government, civil society, health, education, religion, and the media. Preventing suicide cannot rest with one institution or profession. It requires a united, compassionate national response that addresses both the risk factors and the systemic gaps that perpetuate silence. Suicide affects us all, and its prevention must be treated as a shared responsibility.