Suicide And The Fight To Stay Alive (1)

The topic of suicide is heavy and troubling, but it is a subject that deserves attention and understanding. Recent tragic events have brought the issue to the forefront, including the suicide of a South African footballer after returning home from the World Cup, and the alleged suicide of a Ghanaian man who was well-regarded by many.

Globally, more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year, equating to approximately 1,970 deaths daily and 82 deaths hourly. Tragically, one person dies by suicide every 43 seconds. Suicide accounts for over 1 in every 100 deaths worldwide, with 73% occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

For every individual who succumbs to suicide, over 20 others are estimated to attempt it. The statistic that may surprise many is that suicide is the third leading cause of death among people aged 15-29 years globally. This has led to suicide prevention becoming a major global public health priority. The writer, who remains anonymous, shares their personal history of attempting suicide.

During their time at the University of Ghana, they had a tumultuous on-and-off relationship with someone they deeply loved. After their breakup, the writer had a heated interaction with the individual in a parking lot, which ultimately led to them attempting suicide by slicing their wrist with a blunt knife on the balcony overlooking the car park.

The experience was deeply emotional and traumatic, leading the writer to realize they had borderline personality disorder (BPD), a condition often associated with an elevated risk of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and death. A 2025 meta-analysis involving 35 studies and over 34,000 individuals with BPD found lifetime rates of approximately 80% for suicidal thoughts, 52% for suicide attempts, and 6% for suicide by death.

This highlights the need for increased awareness and support for those struggling with mental health issues, particularly BPD. The writer chose not to disclose their attempt publicly for years, only sharing it with their therapist, psychiatrist, and now, in this article, with their readers.