Early detection of depression can avert suicide

Co-workers and family members can extend psychological first aid to distressed individuals by giving them moral support and being good listeners, says Amalia. Photo: Unsplash/Dustin Belt

The relatively high number of suicide cases reported in Malaysia during the first five months of this year has set alarm bells ringing.

The suicide rate is worrying, more so now with the Covid-19 pandemic yet to show any sign of abating and no indication of when the first phase of movement control under the National Recovery Plan will transition to the second phase nationwide to allow most economic sectors to operate.