Accra, Sept. 9, GNA - A Ghanaian-based NGO, Network for Anti-Suicide and Crisis Intervention (NACI) on Tuesday expressed concern about the rising cases of suicide in the country and urged the public to help curb the trend.

The NGO, which is dedicated to suicide prevention, said it wished to use September 10, the day the world would mark the 6th Annual World Suicide Prevention Day declared by the World Health Organization in collaboration with International Association of Suicide Prevention, to draw attention to suicide issues in the country. "Every year, we lose (many) people in our country to suicide and this must not be allowed to continue," it said in a letter to the President.

"Suicide rates are very alarming in the country with more than 5,700 people dying in 2005 and 2006 with many more attempting it. Though this year's official figure is still being collated, provisional figures indicate that it will surpass last year's."

The theme for this year is; "Think Globally. Plan Nationally. Act Locally."

NACI said due to the silence, stigma and punishment, NACI was deeming it fit to use the day to break the silence about suicide in the country.

"The prevention of suicide has not been adequately addressed due basically to the lack of awareness of suicide as a major problem and the taboo in our society to discuss it openly. "Because of the gross increase of suicide in the country, the challenge of its prevention is now one of the most urgent issues facing our today's society. "We cannot ignore or be complacent about the growing incidents of suicide and self-harm in our beloved country." NACI called for the formulation of comprehensive programs to prevent it.

There was compelling evidence indicating that adequate prevention and treatment of depression, alcohol and substance abuse can reduce suicide rates.

"This calls for effective, coordinated and comprehensive preventive initiatives throughout the country if we are to reduce the enormous numbers of completed suicides and suicide attempts," it said. 9 Sept. 08