Adopt ‘mental health first’ approach, urges group

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia should learn from countries that have successfully reduced deaths by suicide after attempted suicide was removed as a crime, says the National Coalition of Mental Wellbeing (NCMW) decriminalisation focus group.One example is Singapore which recorded fewer deaths by suicide following its decision to decriminalise the act, it said.

“We encourage the government to explore the practices of countries adopting a ‘mental health first’ perspective on suicide and suicide prevention,” said the group, renewing its call to decriminalise attempted suicide in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day today.

In Singapore, deaths by suicide went down by 45.4%, from 304 cases between January and September in 2019 to 166 in the same period last year, according to reports.

It is a crime in Malaysia to attempt to take one’s own life – a move that can land a person in jail for up to a year, be fined or both under Section 309 of the Penal Code.

On Sunday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said decriminalising suicide in Malaysia was brought for consideration before a parliamentary select committee between 2005 and 2006.

The law to criminalise attempted suicide was kept after most people at that time suggested that the status quo remained.

However, the group said the intent behind the present law – which is to deter suicide – is no longer being served.

“It is time to acknowledge that the law simply does not work and invest in better societal and mental healthcare infrastructure to address not only attempted suicide but the mental distress that leads people to even consider suicide,” the group added.

Those suffering from problems can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service at 03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392; Talian Kasih at 15999 or 019-261 5999; and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur at 03-7627 2929 or email [e-mail].