What’s behind the change in Ghana’s suicide law?
Ghana decriminalised suicide this year – but stigma still surrounds the issue
Africa Daily · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
Some people may find the issues discussed in this episode upsetting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Official estimates suggest that around 1,500 people took their own lives in Ghana last year… but actual deaths may be much higher – because many people will try to cover up a suicide in the family.
And experts say that for every suicide there are likely to be around 20 failed attempts.
In April, Ghana’s parliament changed the law so that attempting suicide would no longer be a criminal offence – allowing people to ask for help without risking jail time. But will this have any impact without a change in attitudes to mental health?
For Africa Daily, Alan @Kasujja hears from the doctor who set up Ghana’s first toll-free mental health helpline, a mental health nurse and a man who attempted to take his own life.