Suicide Prevention

The Suicide Prevention Working Group has been set up to champion advocacy for the decriminalisation of suicide and suicidal behaviour in countries where it is criminalised. The Working Group also encourages the development of national suicide prevention policies and frameworks to allow for individuals with lived experience to access the support they need.

Co-Chairs

Harun Abdullah
ADD International, Bangladesh

Sia Edward
TaCHIS, Tanzania

Reseda Ramkhelawan
Mindwise, Trinidad & Tobago

Our Focus

Suicide remains illegal in at least 20 countries and whilst these countries vary, in some places these laws are enforced with punishments ranging from fines to imprisonment. The criminalisation of attempted suicide can prevent individuals from being able to access the support they need and increase stigma. Through this Working Group, we aim to champion advocacy for the decriminalisation of suicide and suicidal behaviour in countries where this is still criminalised, and to promote suicide prevention strategies, policies and programmes.

Our objectives include:

  • advocating for the repeal of legislation around the world that criminalises suicide and suicidal behaviour.

  • promoting evidence-based advocacy and communications efforts to inform advocacy for the decriminalisation and prevention of suicide.

  • strengthening collaboration amongst those advocating for the decriminalisation and prevention of suicide.

Our Work

Caribbean Regional Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Suicide

Report: In 2021 we worked with the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s TrustLaw programme, along with an international law firm, to conduct research into:

  • The legal structures in countries where suicide is a criminal offence;

  • The repercussions for those who attempt suicide in these countries (and for their friends and families);

  • The opportunities for advocacy and reform around the world.

On the back of this research, we published the report Decriminalising Suicide: Saving lives, reducing stigma as an informational tool for those campaigning for the decriminalisation of suicide.

Our Impact

Decriminalisation of suicide in Kenya

GMHAN has been recognised alongside civil society partners in Keny in supporting with convening work underpinning a landmark ruling in early 2025 that declared the current law that punished individuals for “attempting suicide” with up to two years in prison as unconstitutional. The law was found to violate constitutional guarantees of dignity, equality, and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. This ruling sets an important precedent which other nations in Africa may follow on the road to developing structures that support some of the most vulnerable people in those countries. (Blog: Leading the fight for suicide decriminalisation in Kenya).

Decriminalisation of suicide in Ghana

Laws that criminalise suicide deter people from seeking help and further stigmatises mental health. Through UnitedGMH’s advocacy support to GMHAN member organisations, and collaboration with key partners, national campaigners secured the decriminalisation of suicide in four countries: Pakistan, Ghana, Guyana and Malaysia. GMHAN’s Suicide Decriminalisation Working Group was recognised in the Ghanaian Parliament for supporting national actors advocating to decriminalise suicide. Now anyone in these countries who is driven to contemplate suicide can legally seek help. 309 million people are now living under rights-based laws due to suicide decriminalisation.

Registration for this Working Group is open!

How to join us:

  • Sign up for the Global Mental Health Action Network (Action Network) and select your preferred Working Groups. Register here.

  • Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive an email inviting you to create your account for our online Community platform, Circle. Once complete, you will have access to the Working Group spaces that you selected in your registration form.

  • Circle supports us to communicate, collaborate and take action together as a global mental health advocacy community. We look forward to seeing you on the platform!

  • If you are already a member of the Action Network and would like to sign up for the Working Group, please email admin@gmhan.org