The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Association for Suicide Prevention Ghana (GASP), organized regional workshops to enhance the capacity of media professionals in responsible suicide and mental health reporting. The workshops, attended by 90 journalists from various regions of Ghana, aim to align with WHO’s global suicide prevention guidance and support Ghana’s broader mental health reform agenda, particularly after the decriminalization of attempted suicide.
Dr. Leveana Gyimah, WHO Ghana’s Technical Officer for Mental Health, emphasized the importance of responsible media communication in national suicide prevention efforts. She explained that media plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding and behavior. When reporting is based on evidence and empathy, it helps reduce stigma, promotes mental health literacy, and encourages individuals to seek help. Responsible reporting is not only good journalism but also a vital public health intervention.
Suicide remains a major public health concern, and how it is reported can significantly influence public behavior. Sensationalist reporting can increase risks, while accurate and empathetic coverage can aid prevention by providing help-seeking information. The workshops introduced globally adapted tools, including the WHO resource for media professionals, and the Ghana Guidelines for Appropriate Media Reporting of Suicide and the Ghana Suicide Reporting Scorecard. These resources aim to improve suicide-related coverage, reduce harmful narratives, and promote the inclusion of support services.
Journalists were trained to adopt non-stigmatizing language, protect the dignity and privacy of individuals, and avoid graphic details. The focus was also on framing suicide as a preventable public health issue, rather than as a criminal or moral failing. The media’s influence on public discourse, especially on vulnerable populations like young people and those with mental health conditions, was also highlighted.
Prof. E. Nii-Boye Quarshie, President of GASP, reiterated the critical role of media in suicide prevention. Responsible, sensitive, and evidence-informed reporting can help reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behavior, contributing to national mental health efforts. WHO Ghana continues to work with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to strengthen mental health systems, promote rights-based approaches, and implement evidence-informed prevention strategies.
By investing in media capacity and ensuring adherence to best practices in suicide reporting, WHO and its partners are helping create a safer information environment that protects vulnerable populations and advances Ghana’s commitment to mental health and suicide prevention.
