Lived experiences of survivors of suicide in the Kasena-Nankana Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Suicide survivors in most cases develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which can become chronic if not treated. The emotions survivors of suicide experience can be devastating and this situation can negatively affect the way they function. The study sought to explore lived experiences of survivors of suicide in the Kasena- Nankana Municipality (KNM), Ghana. The study adopted phenomenological design within the qualitative research approach. Ten survivors of suicide were selected using purposive sampling technique. Interviews were used to gather data. Data were analysed in themes. It was found that psychosocial problems, psychiatric problems, previous suicide attempts and access to means of suicide were the themes to suicidal thought among survivors of suicide in the KNM. Also, isolation and regression were the effects attempted suicide survivors face on their social life. Again, positive and negative coping strategies were used by survivors of suicide to cope with the aftermath of their attempted suicide. Then more so, mass education and the establishment of community counselling centres were the preventive measures that can be put in place to minimize attempted suicide among suicide survivors in the KNM. It was concluded that survivors of suicide do experience emotional distress which may degenerate and create further distress for the attempters with risks for suicide completion. Also, coping behaviours of suicidal persons are largely influenced by cultural dynamics. It was recommended that there is the need to develop a national policy on suicide prevention that examines the broader social dimensions of people’s lives and how these may lead to distress and provide support in the form of suicide helplines.