The alarming rate of suicides among Ghanaian police officers has come under scrutiny, with a recent report revealing that 69 officers took their own lives between 2015 and 2021.
This was highlighted by Dr. Erica D. Dickson, Head of the Therapy and Wellness Department at the 37 Military Hospital, during the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day Forum in Accra.
Dr. Dickson shared findings from another recent study involving 268 police officers, which revealed that 28% had experienced lifetime suicidal ideation.
Of the sampled officers, 3% were actively planning suicide at the time of the study, while 21.6% had expressed suicidal threats, and 26.9% reported having suicidal thoughts within the past 12 months.
While the statistics focus on the police service, Dr. Dickson emphasized that other security services in Ghana likely face similar trends. She noted that the tight-knit nature of some of these services made it difficult to access comprehensive data on suicide rates. However, media reports have indicated that suicide incidents have also occurred within the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Dr. Dickson pointed to the nature of security work, which often involves exposure to traumatic situations such as loss of life, floods, fires, and road accidents. These experiences, combined with societal expectations for security personnel to maintain resilience, can lead to psychological trauma and increase the risk of mental health issues, including suicide.
“Just being in the service increases your rate of being suicidal. People in the service may develop all kinds of mental disorders ranging from acute stress disorders to anxieties to some serious adjustment problems and maladaptations to post-traumatic stress disorder,” Dr. Dickson explained.
She called for a shift in how mental health and suicide are approached in Ghana, advocating for proactive measures such as mental health advocacy, community engagement, and support services to reduce the stigma around suicide. Dr. Dickson urged the need for a national policy on mental health and suicide prevention within the security services, alongside a focus on mental health literacy and cultural changes to address the issue with dignity and compassion.
Professor Joseph Osafo, an expert on suicidology, also emphasized that while suicide has been decriminalized in Ghana, the country must work harder to implement a national suicide prevention policy. He argued for a change in societal attitudes towards suicide, moving away from stigma and abuse towards openness and hope.
Dr. John-Deigo Kosoe, a psychologist with the Ghana Police Service, highlighted factors contributing to suicide among police officers, including public perception, recruitment processes, promotions, work demands, and the accessibility of drugs. He expressed concern that current police recruitment screening only focuses on physical health, arguing that mental health assessments should be included to detect issues early.
Major General R. K. Ewusie, Deputy Chief of Staff, Medical, at the Ghana Armed Forces, called for open discussions on mental health within all security services and stressed the importance of building strong support systems, including counselling services and peer support networks.
In a broader context, Ghana recorded 543 attempted suicides and 81 completed suicides between January and June 2024. This marks a significant increase compared to 594 attempts and 48 completed suicides in 2023. The Greater Accra, Eastern, and Central Regions saw the highest numbers of suicide attempts, with Greater Accra recording the most completed suicides.
The Mental Health Authority, in a statement commemorating World Suicide Prevention Day, urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and seek help, reminding the public that suicide is no longer a criminal offense in Ghana.