By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah, GNA
Tema, Feb. 17, GNA — Reverend Ebenezer Ayer, Head Pastor of the Priesthood Worship Centre, Assemblies of God, has urged individuals battling suicidal thoughts to seek help and speak openly about their emotional struggles.
Rev Ayer said many people suffer quietly under the weight of financial hardship, broken relationships, academic pressure and personal disappointments, stressing that silence must be broken with empathy and understanding.
He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that experiencing emotional pain did not signify weakness or lack of faith but a human reality that required care, patience and community support.
He stated that the Bible explicitly condemns murder, referencing the commandment “Thou shalt not kill”, adding that suicide falls within this prohibition as it involves taking one’s own life, which he described as self-murder.
He emphasised that individuals in crisis needed compassion rather than judgement and noted that warning signs might include persistent hopelessness, withdrawal from loved ones, sudden mood changes, or expressions of feeling like being a burden onto others.
Rev Ayer encouraged families and friends to become safe spaces where members feel comfortable discussing emotional struggles without fear of condemnation and urged Ghanaians to listen attentively and respond gently when someone confided in them.
He underscored the importance of combining spiritual support with professional intervention, saying that although prayer provided comfort and hope, professional mental health care remained essential for individuals experiencing severe distress.
He encouraged people experiencing persistent thoughts of self-harm to consult qualified mental health practitioners or designated support services for early intervention and sustained support.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Benjamin Mensah