Changing the narrative on suicide in Ghana
GASP brings together individuals, groups and organisations working to prevent suicide and suicidal behaviour in Ghana, and to support everyone affected by it. Suicide prevention is everyone's business.
Having thoughts of suicide?
You are not alone. Find someone to talk to and support you can reach today.
Get support →Worried about someone?
Learn the warning signs, how to start the conversation and where to refer them.
How to help →Self-help & resources
Self-care guides, factsheets, policy briefs and media guidelines for reporting suicide.
Browse resources →Ghana's overarching body for suicide prevention
GASP is an incorporated non-governmental organisation headquartered in Accra. We are non-religious, non-political, non-ethnic and non-tribal, and we coordinate the work of academics, mental health professionals, crisis workers, pastoral care workers, volunteers and survivors across Ghana and its sub-Saharan African context.
GASP was formed unanimously at the Legon Forum on 30 March 2017 — the first national stakeholder forum on suicide prevention in Ghana.
Our mission
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Our vision
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Self-harm and suicide in Ghana and beyond
Ghana has no national suicide registry, so these figures likely understate the true picture.
people die by suicide worldwide every year
Source: WHO
estimated suicides in Ghana each year
Source: WHO (2020)
suicide attempts recorded in Ghana in 2019
Source: Ministry of Health
Parliament decriminalised attempted suicide (28 March)
Criminal Offences Act amendment
What we do
Suicidal crisis support & helpline services
Working with the Mental Health Authority towards a dedicated toll-free helpline for people in suicidal crisis.
02Research
Evidence on self-harm and suicidal behaviour among young people and adults in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa.
03Advocacy & empowerment
Campaigning for a National Suicide Prevention Plan and against the stigma that keeps people from seeking help.
04Training
Gatekeeper training for teachers, counsellors, traditional and religious leaders, law enforcement and media.
05Media & stakeholder engagement
The Ghana Guidelines for Appropriate Media Reporting of Suicide and the Ghana Suicide Reporting Scorecard.
06Decriminalisation
Part of the long campaign that led Parliament to remove attempted suicide from the Criminal Offences Act.
Attempted suicide is now a mental health issue requiring help — not prosecution
On 28 March 2023, Parliament amended the Criminal Offences Act of 1960. GASP now calls for the investment needed to make help available to everyone who seeks it.
Latest from GASP
World Suicide Prevention Day 2024: Changing the Narrative on Suicide
GASP calls on everyone to "Start the Conversation", commends the repeal of the law criminalising attempted suicide, and announces new media…
World Suicide Prevention Day 2023: GASP commends Parliament and calls for a National Suicide Prevention Plan
Under the theme “Creating hope through action”, GASP lauds the amendment of the Criminal Offences Act and calls for a National Suicide Prev…
GASP President wins the IASP De Leo Fund Award for suicide research
Dr Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie received the 2021 De Leo Fund Award from the International Association for Suicide Prevention at its 31st Wor…
Awareness days we observe
Tools for journalists, schools and communities
Developed with the National Media Commission, Mental Health Authority, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Journalists Association and others.
All resourcesJoin the movement
Let us all be part of creating hope through action.
Become a member
Join professionals, researchers, survivors and volunteers committed to suicide prevention.
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Support our awareness campaigns, events and outreach across Ghana's 16 regions.
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