MORE SUICIDES TO BE EXPECTED IN GHANA, UNLESS...
The Ghana Medical Association has warned, the current economic hardship in the country could trigger more suicides if government does not take appropriate steps to improve the living standards of the ordinary Ghanaian. Economic woes forced a 56 year old man in the Juaben Municipality in the Eastern Region to commit suicide because of what the deceased said was economic difficulties. Neighbors say Victor Dagadu has for the past few weeks been complaining of economic hardship and threatened on several occasions to commit suicide. Ghana Medical Association President Dr. Frank Serebour had earlier warned about possible suicide cases if the economy was not improved. He told Joy News the economy is challenged. “What I will say is that we are in difficult times, we are in challenging times. It appears that the economy is not as buoyant as we expected it to be; and the government is under pressure and stress, so are the people in the country…I hope we can get above it, but for now it is very difficult.” Dr. Frank Serebour was also concerned about those he called the “silence ones” who will not open up but complain inwardly which can also lead to hypertension; others end up in psychiatric homes. “So I am hoping and praying that at least the government will listen to the voice of the people and lessen our burden a little bit so that people will get some hope and psychologically it will improve people’s outlook.” Psychologist Dr. Dickson Diakorsy noted that due to individual differences, how people respond to difficult situation differs. He explained that under a circumstance where one can do a retrospect and take charge of his life, another would rather take his life. Those who end their lives actually think they are not really in charge of their own affairs and can interpret their situation as being worthless, he noted, adding that it is at this point that they start contemplating about committing suicide. Dr. Diakorsy said such people need social support from close associates especially when they observe them withdrawing from usual activities.