Abstract
The penal code of Ghana condemns suicide attempt. The present study sought to explore the views of the police on persons who attempt suicide and the law criminalizing the act. Qualitative in-depth interviews were used to explore the views of 18 officers of the Ghana Police Service. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis technique. Findings showed that the police officers profiled suicide attempters as needy, enigmatic, ignorant, and blameworthy. Majority (n = 14) of them disagreed with the law and suggested a repeal, whereas only four of them agreed with the law. Regardless of their positions on criminalization, they showed an inclination to help, rather than arrest, when confronted with such persons in line of their duty. Educating the police on suicidal behavior may help to deepen their understanding and help improve the way they handle suicidal persons. This may also strengthen police suicide prevention gatekeeping obligations.
Highlights
Suicide is a serious public and mental health challenge
11.1 for media personnel, judges and lawyers, health professionals, police officers, etc.) to push for the decriminalization of attempted suicide in Ghana, the present study finds it imperative to explore the views of personnel of the Ghana Police Service on suicidal persons and the law criminalizing suicide attempts in the country
The theme, profiling suicidal persons, examines the views of the police regarding suicidal persons based on their experiences of handling suicide-related cases in their line of duty
Summary
Suicide is a serious public and mental health challenge. 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; Knizek, Akotia, & Hjelmeland, 2011; Quarshie, Osafo, Akotia, & Peprah, 2015; WHO, 2014). 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). 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 (Knizek, Akotia, & Hjelmeland, 2011; Quarshie et al, 2015). A suicide attempt here refers to engagement in a potentially self-destructive behavior which does not result in death but in which there is at least some intent to die (Mars, Burrows, Hjelmeland, & Gunnell, 2014; Nock & Favazza, 2009)
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