In a significant progression towards mental health awareness, Ghana’s Parliament has passed an amendment to the Criminal Offenses Act of 1960, which decriminalizes attempted suicide in the country.
The previous law criminalized attempted suicide, which meant that individuals who attempted to take their own lives faced imprisonment rather than receiving the support and care they needed.
With the recent changes to the law, individuals who attempt suicide will now be regarded as needing mental health support rather than facing imprisonment under the law. This means that individuals who survive attempted suicide are no longer in danger of being arrested, charged, and punished, but rather would have access to medical and psychological assistance.
This development has been a long time coming, as mental health experts in Ghana have been pushing for this amendment.
They have cited the need for medical assistance for those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, emphasizing that these individuals need care and support rather than punishment and imprisonment.
Ghana is not alone in decriminalizing attempted suicide. Many countries and regions around the world have already made this change, recognizing that penalizing individuals who are struggling with mental health challenges is not the solution.
Instead, mental health needs to be prioritized, and individuals facing mental health challenges should be provided with the support they need.
With over 1,500 cases of suicide reported annually across Ghana, the decision to view attempted suicide as a mental health issue has been welcomed by many.
It is hoped that this change will encourage more individuals to seek help and support for their mental health challenges, without the fear of legal prosecution and the stigma that often comes with such issues.