Clinical psychologist and lecturer at the Central University College Aku Hayfron is appealing to the media to tone down on the attention on suicide cases.
According to her, regular reports on the subject make it appear attractive to suspects.
Two people; one in the Eastern region and the other at Ashaiman in Accra, committed suicide Monday.
The incidents bring to seven the number of people who have committed suicide over the last two weeks. Last week, two young ladies took their lives in the Eastern and Greater Accra regions. A man, also in his 30s, committed suicide at Achimota in Accra.
A 16-year-old Junior High School Student of Child of Hope Preparatory School at Akyem Osiem – Barbara Asante – was found hanging in the kitchen of her parents’ house at Akyem Tafo last Tuesday. The cause of death is, however, unknown.
Last Wednesday, a level 400 student of the University of Ghana jumped to her death.
Speaking on the issue, Mrs. Hayfron told Starr News the media have a role to play in controlling the menace.
“I think if a hold will be put on the reportage, it would help. In the sense that because it is currently being reported and the way it is being reported, it makes it attractive to others. Some people may not have considered that option but because it is being reported so regularly, others are trying,” she said.
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