Ghana, one of West Africa’s leading countries, officially decriminalises attempted suicide through its Criminal Offences Amendment act , 2023 (Act 1092).
The country used this move to show that it is easing its approach to mental health, allocating importance to showing compassion rather than punishment.
Unknown to most, several countries still punish individuals for attempting to take their lives knowingly.But the question is: Does the law help? or does it worsen their health, leading to more attempts in the near future?.
Background
Previously, the legal framework in Ghana criminalised suicide attempts, often prosecuting or causing potential incarceration.
This means anyone who attempted to die by suicide and got caught would be punished. This approach stigmatized mental health and stopped individuals from seeking the help they needed during their vulnerable time.
According to global suicide statistics, approximately 703,000 people die from suicide every year, and in Ghana, up to 1500 casualties every year.
The history of this criminalisation started in the colonial era, where the laws were forced upon colonies by the British Empire.
The empire was largely Christian and believed the attempt to take one’s life was a sin that should be punished.
Although colonisation gradually ceased and the United Kingdom decriminalised it in 1961, some of it’s colonies, in this case Ghana, still kept to the law post-independence.
Decriminalisation in Africa
Decriminalization of suicide in Africa has really been rising, with Ghana being the latest.
However, at least 8 African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Malawi, still hold on to the law of criminalizing attempted suicide. Mental health advocates have fought against it to no avail.
The advocates argue that individuals in crisis would find it easier to seek help without fear or legal repercussions for their struggles if decriminalised.
Suicide is the reoccurring thoughts of hopelessness and despair often felt by individuals. It spans across various demographics and has no linear symptoms as it differs amongst all.
Although most choose to stay blind to it, Africa experiences high suicide rates, with an average of 11 people per 100,000 dying per year, according to the United Nations. This is very close to the world average, which is 9 per 100,000.
Studies show that suicide attempts are most likely calls for help, and with adequate counseling, one can address reasons why it takes place. It has also been confirmed that counseling also helps lift the victim’s mind from the place of attempted suicide to staying alive.
Implications for Mental Health
Decriminalising attempted suicide is a huge step towards removing the stigma that surrounds mental health in Africa.
The stigma has prevented open discussions about these challenges, leading to isolation and struggle among those affected.
Typical African societies see Mental Health as a hinderance and an embarrassment. They shun those with issues and believe they have been affected by something spiritual.
By abandoning them, they end up on the streets with no care and rehabilitation to help them become better.
What does this mean for Africa?
Recalling the high amount of suicide cases in the continent, with a high death count of 11 persons per 100,000, it needs moves from countries like Ghana to encourage other countries also to decriminalise it.
The stigma against suicide has always been the issue hindering individuals from getting the effective treatment that they need.
The continent lacks adequate infrastructure to help these individuals: if they focused on that rather than throwing mental health patients into jail and adding it to their record, perhaps the casualties we get each year may reduce.
