Adolescent suicide in Ghana: A content analysis of media reports

Abstract

Adolescent suicide is now a major health concern for many countries. However, there is paucity of systematic studies and lack of official statistics on adolescent suicide in Ghana. Mass media coverage of adolescent suicide (even though crude), at least, may reflect the reality of the phenomenon. With an ecological orientation, this study used qualitative content analysis to analyse the pattern of 44 media reports of adolescent suicide in Ghana from January 2001 through September 2014. Results showed that hanging was the dominant method used. The behaviour usually takes place within or near the adolescent's home environment. The act was often attributed to precursors within the microsystem (family and school) of the deceased. This study serves a seminal function for future empirical studies aimed at deeper examination of the phenomenon in order to inform prevention programmes.

Police Views of Suicidal Persons and the Law Criminalizing Attempted Suicide in Ghana: A Qualitative Study With Policy Implications

“…Ranked as the second leading cause of death in 15-to 29-year-olds, globally, suicide claims over 800,000 lives each year, with a suicide-related death occurring every 40 s somewhere around the world, and many more people attempting suicide (World Health Organization [WHO], 2014). As reported generally across the African continent and most low-and middle-income countries (LAMICs), there are no official statistics on the epidemiology and burden of suicide in Ghana (Hjelmeland et al, 2008;Quarshie, Osafo, Akotia, & Peprah, 2015;WHO, 2014). However, recent anecdotal statistical evidence shows that about 1,556 people (i.e., roughly five people in a day) die by suicide yearly in Ghana (Citifm Online, 2012).…”

“…However, recent anecdotal statistical evidence shows that about 1,556 people (i.e., roughly five people in a day) die by suicide yearly in Ghana (Citifm Online, 2012). Although these statistics and estimates may appear staggering (and arguably crude), they are undoubtedly a fair reflection of the reality and burden of the phenomenon of suicide in Ghana Quarshie et al, 2015). WHO (2014) encourages member countries across the world to place high premium on suicide prevention irrespective of a country's current position in terms of suicide rate or suicide prevention activities; and in Africa, there is an urgent need to prioritize suicide prevention (Burrows & Schlebusch, 2009).…”

“…The Police Service Act of Ghana (1970) states that "it shall be the duties of the Police Force to prevent and detect crime, to apprehend offenders and to maintain public order and safety of persons and properties" (Act 350 of Ghana, Section 1). Thus, with suicides and suicide attempts criminalized in Ghana, police officers frequently come into contact with suicidal persons and sometimes their significant others, mainly, because they (the police) are often the first emergency service to be called upon when a person is suspected to be at risk of (or even dead by) suicide, and they regularly help to handle suicide and other mental health-related crises within the community (Lester & Pitts, 1991;Marzano, Smith, Long, Kisby, & Hawton, 2016;Matheson et al, 2005;Quarshie et al, 2015;Spence & Millott, 2016). This implies that the police (apart from maintaining and enforcing law and order) double as frontline mental health workers within the community setting (Fry, O'Riordan, & Geanellos, 2002;Green, 1997;Omoaregba, James, Igbinowanhia, & Akhiwu, 2015;Teplin & Pruett, 1992).…”

Prevalence of suicidal behaviour among nursing and midwifery college students in Ghana

“…official database or national formal statistics on the prevalence, trends and characteristics of the phenomenon in the country (Osafo, Akotia, Andoh-Arthur, & Quarshie, 2015). Although some previous studies from Ghana (Eshun, 2003;Osafo, Hjelmeland, Akotia, & Knizek, 2011) have explored the socio-cultural determinants of suicidal ideation and the attitudes of university students towards suicide, generally, primary research examining the prevalence, correlates, risks and protective factors related to suicidal behaviour among adolescents and youth in Ghana remains scant (Asante, Kugbey, Osafo, Quarshie, & Sarfo, 2017;Quarshie et al, 2015). More pointedly, primary studies with focus on the phenomenon in college nursing and midwifery students in Ghana are unavailable, although there are local media reports of suicidality among this category of students (Frimpong, 2017).…”

“We Now Have a Patient and Not a Criminal”: An Exploratory Study of Judges and Lawyers’ Views on Suicide Attempters and the Law in Ghana

“…Guided by this awareness, research efforts in Ghana in recent times have particularly focused on promoting an understanding of the phenomenon (Adinkrah, 2012(Adinkrah, , 2013Akotia, Knizek, Kinyanda & Hjelmeland, 2013;Eshun;2008;Hjelmeland et al, 2008;Osafo, Akotia, Andoh-Arthur & Quarshie, 2015;Osafo, Akotia, Andoh-Arthur, Quarshie & Boakye, in press;Osafo, Knizek, Akotia, & Hjelmeland, 2011;Quarshie, Osafo, Akotia & Peprah, 2015). This has been accomplished mainly through attitude studies on suicide as a topic in general and criminalisation of suicide attempt in particular.…”