Exploring Suicide Stigma Among Adolescents in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana: The Role of Age, Mental Health Stigma, and Traditional Beliefs

Background and Purpose: Suicide is a global public health issue, with Africa experiencing a suicide rate of 6.98 per 100,000 in 2019. Studies highlight high suicide behaviors among Ghanaian adolescents, influenced by sociocultural practices and traditional beliefs. Suicide stigma, rooted in societal norms and cultural taboos, contributes to silence and barriers in seeking help. Understanding suicide stigma's complexities among adolescents is crucial, considering the formative nature of this period and its impact on mental health awareness and help-seeking behaviors. Mental health stigma exacerbates these challenges, perpetuating silence and discrimination. Traditional beliefs in Ghana influence attitudes towards suicide, necessitating culturally sensitive interventions. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between age, sex, mental health stigma, traditional beliefs, and suicide stigma among junior high school students in Greater Accra, contributing valuable insights for reducing stigma and fostering supportive environments for Ghanaian adolescents' mental well-being.

Methods: Participants for this study were sampled from six selected junior high schools (JHS) in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, specifically from the Ada, Weija, and Sege districts, resulting in an 82% participation rate out of 975 initially approached students. Inclusion criteria required junior high school students without known cognitive or learning difficulties. Privacy during surveys was ensured by seating students at least 4 feet apart in their classrooms, and participants received educational materials and refreshments worth GH¢20.00 (US$2.00) as compensation. Ethical approval was obtained, and data collection included demographic variables (age, sex), sociocultural variables (parental information, ethnic group, religious affiliation), and measures of Suicide Stigma, traditional beliefs, and mental health stigma using validated scales. Data analysis involved descriptive analysis, bi-variate, and multivariate analyses using IBM SPSS Statistics, with Multiple Linear Regression to assess relationships between variables.

Results: The results revealed several noteworthy findings that contribute to our understanding of suicide stigma and provide implications for interventions and mental health promotion efforts. The study found significant positive correlations between suicide stigma and both mental health stigma and traditional beliefs. This highlights the interconnectedness of these factors and emphasizes the need for comprehensive approaches to address suicide stigma. Furthermore, the multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that after controlling for age, sex, and other factors, both mental health stigma and traditional beliefs remained significant correlates of suicide stigma.

Conclusions and Implications: The results of this study highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce suicide stigma among adolescents in Ghana. Addressing mental health stigma, challenging traditional beliefs, and fostering supportive environments are crucial in promoting mental health awareness and creating a culture that embraces open discussions about suicide prevention. By implementing comprehensive strategies, Ghana can take significant strides towards supporting the mental well-being of its adolescents and reducing the stigma associated with suicide. Future research and collaborative efforts are warranted to further advance our understanding and refine intervention approaches in this important area of study.