title: Attempted suicide in Ghana: motivation, stigma, and coping.
abstract: To understand the experiences of suicidal persons in Ghana, 10 persons were interviewed after they attempted suicide. Thematic analysis of data showed that motivation for suicidal behavior included social taunting, hopelessness, and partner's infidelity. Suicidal persons reported stigma expressed through physical molestation and social ostracism, which left them traumatized. However, they coped through social support from relations, religious faith, and use of avoidance. Community-wide sensitive education should target reducing stigma and also increase mental health education on suicidal behavior in Ghanaian communities.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Ghana , Accra , Ghana.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Osafo
authors.forename: Charity Sylvia
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Akotia
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andoh-Arthur
authors.forename: Emmanuel Nii-Boye
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Quarshie
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods; D005869:Ghana; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009042:Motivation; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012917:Social Adjustment; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology