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Dr. Erica D. Dickson, Head of Therapy and Wellness at the 37 Military Hospital, has raised concerns over the increasing rate of suicides among police officers in Ghana. Speaking at the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day Forum in Accra, Dr. Dickson highlighted that 69 officers took their own lives between 2015 and 2021.
Citing a recent study involving 268 officers, Dr. Dickson revealed alarming findings: 28% had experienced lifetime suicidal thoughts, 3% were actively planning suicide, 21.6% had made suicide threats, and 26.9% had suicidal ideation within the last 12 months.
She emphasized that while the focus has been on the police, other security services might also be experiencing similar trends, although tight-knit systems might make data difficult to gather. Media reports have previously linked suicide cases to personnel in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Dr. Dickson explained that security personnel are often exposed to traumatic situations such as accidents, natural disasters, and violent incidents. Combined with societal expectations of resilience, this exposure can lead to mental health challenges, including acute stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
She called for a shift in attitudes towards mental health in Ghana, advocating for increased support, education, and community engagement to reduce stigma. Dr. Dickson stressed the need for proactive measures, such as mental health literacy across all ranks and the development of policies to support suicide prevention in security services.
Professor Joseph Osafo, a suicidologist, echoed her sentiments, stating that while decriminalizing suicide was a step forward, more needs to be done. He urged the establishment of a national suicide prevention policy to address the issue.
Dr. John-Deigo Kosoe, a psychologist with the Ghana Police Service, pointed out specific risk factors for police personnel, including public perception, work pressures, unmet expectations, and easy access to drugs. He advocated for incorporating mental health screenings in the recruitment process to identify and address issues early.
Major General R.K. Ewusie, Deputy Chief of Staff at the General Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces, emphasized the importance of open discussions about mental health in all security services. He also called for strengthening support systems, such as counseling services and peer networks, to ensure that no one feels isolated in their struggles.
He urged for regular mental health training to equip personnel with the skills to recognize signs of distress and offer timely support.
