MARK.....300 people turned up to mark World Suicide
Prevention Day
By :
REBECCA CHONG
THIS
is the message the Befrienders Kota Kinabalu tried to spread when they marked
the 10th Anniversary of World Suicide Prevention Day on 9th of September 2012
at the Likas Sports Complex in Kota Kinabalu. Almost 300 people turned up to
take part in the anniversary event.
Suicide
is not an isolated occurrence. Approximately 1 million people around the world
kill themselves every year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Mathematically, this translates to one person dying of suicide in every 40
seconds all over the world.
Malaysia
has its own worrisome statistics. According to the National Suicide Registry,
from mid 2007 to 2010, there were 1156 suicide cases registered, which amounted
to 1.3 suicides per 100,000 people in the country during the period.
National
Health and Morbidity Survey conducted by Malaysia's Ministry of Health in 2011
reported that depression was a significant factor that leads to suicide. It
recorded 1.8 percent, of adult Malaysian population as being depressed for one
reason or another, and 1.7 percent were considered suicidal. 0.9 percent made
plan for suicide and 0.5 percent actually tried.
Suicidal
ideation stems from a combination of complex inter-related biological, social,
psychological and environmental factors. Those living under extremely difficult
personal circumstances and experience stressful life events such as family
disharmony, interpersonal conflicts, relationship breakdowns, financial
problems, social isolation are known to be prone to suicidal tendencies.
Befrienders
Worldwide has gathered considerable knowledge about suicide in the 10 years of
its existence, and WHO recognises suicide as a major public health issue
globally.
Today
dealing with extreme depression is considered part of the government's mental
health programme, but the responsibility to prevent suicide rests with
everyone. Family members, friends, community leaders or employers must play
their part to prevent suicide.
"As
individuals, we can reach out and offer help to those we know are suffering
from emotional crisis, depressive symptoms or having suicidal emotions. Simple
things that we can do are to take their problem seriously, take time to listen
and show empathy, be supportive and caring" said Liow Tiong Lai, Minister
of Health Malaysia.
This
is precisely what Befrienders Kota Kinabalu try to do. A non-profit
organization, affiliated with Befrienders Worldwide across more than 50
countries, they have a team of dedicated specially trained volunteers who
operate a helpline service (telephone 088-255788) from 7p.m. to 9p.m. daily.
Their
primary aim is to give emotional support to people who contemplate suicide.
They also try to soothe misery, loneliness, despair and depression simply by
listening to and comforting those who experience social isolation and feel they
have nowhere else to turn to.
This
year marks the 10th anniversary of the World Suicide Prevention Day, which
indicates 10 years of research, prevention, education and dissemination of
information. An encouraging outcome from the decade’s dealing with suicidal
cases is the conclusion that suicide can be prevented. (Insight Sabah)
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