Quick answer: If you are having suicidal thoughts and feel you have no money, no therapist and no support, you still have options. In Ghana, the Mental Health Authority's helpline (0800 678 678) is free. Public hospitals and health centres offer low-cost care. Telling one trusted person, making a written safety plan and keeping a daily reason to hold on can carry you through the hardest hours. Recovery is possible, even when it starts with very little.

Why help can feel unreachable

Professional help can seem out of reach for many reasons. Therapy costs money. There are few mental health specialists, especially outside big cities. Some people fear what family, church or community will say. Others have a partner or household that does not take their pain seriously, or responsibilities that leave no time.

When all of this piles up, suicidal thoughts can start to feel like the only way out. That feeling is a symptom of deep distress, not the truth about your situation.

What suicidal thoughts often feel like

People who have lived through suicidal thoughts often describe:

  • A sense of being trapped, with no exits
  • Thoughts that get louder at night, when everyone else is asleep
  • An inner voice that targets every insecurity and says you are worthless
  • The idea of death feeling like escape or relief
  • Hiding it all behind a cheerful face

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and you are not weak. These are common signs of a mind in crisis, and they can ease with support.

What helps people hold on

Survivors of suicidal crises often point to a few things that kept them going:

  1. A reason to stay. For many, it is their children, a parent, a friend, a pet, faith or an unfinished dream. Write yours down.
  2. A decision to fight for yourself. Recovery rarely happens all at once. Think of switching off a standing fan: the blades keep turning after you press the button, slowing speed by speed until they stop. The decision starts the slowdown.
  3. Kind self-talk. Speaking to yourself with compassion, even in front of a mirror, can calm the inner critic (see Mirror Self-Talk and Self-Compassion).
  4. Reading and learning. Books, sermons, podcasts and courses can reshape how you think about your life.
  5. Faith and community. Prayer and a caring faith community comfort many people, especially alongside health care (see Prayer or Therapy?).
  6. Small, steady progress. One day at a time. Then one goal at a time.

Free and low-cost help in Ghana

  1. Call the free helpline. The Mental Health Authority's toll-free line, 0800 678 678, connects people with suicidal thoughts to care in their communities (GNA, 2026).
  2. Walk into any public hospital or health centre. Ask for mental health support; community mental health officers and nurses work across the country.
  3. Tell one person. A friend, sibling, pastor, imam or colleague. Say: "I'm not okay and I need help."
  4. Make a simple safety plan. Write down your warning signs, things that calm you, people to call and the helpline number (The Moment You Realise You're Not Okay shows how).
  5. Know the law is on your side. Since 2023, attempted suicide is no longer a crime in Ghana; it is treated as a health matter (No Longer a Crime).

Recovery is real

Many people who once lived with suicidal thoughts go on to rebuild their lives: returning to school, changing careers, leaving unhealthy relationships and helping others. Recovery is often uneven, with good days and setbacks. That is normal. It does get better.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I have suicidal thoughts but cannot afford therapy? Call the free Mental Health Authority helpline on 0800 678 678, visit a public health centre, and tell someone you trust. Free and low-cost support exists even when private therapy is too expensive.

Can you recover from suicidal thoughts? Yes. Many people recover fully. Recovery is often gradual, and support makes it more likely.

Is it a crime to attempt suicide in Ghana? No. Parliament decriminalised attempted suicide in March 2023 through the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act 1092).

Why are suicidal thoughts worse at night? Night brings fewer distractions, tiredness and isolation, which can make painful thoughts louder. Plan ahead: keep the helpline number and a trusted contact ready for the evening.

Sources: GNA: MHA calls for compassionate approach to suicide prevention (2026) · Starr FM: Chief Justice circular on Act 1092