Suicide cases in country remain high, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Suicide rates in Malaysia have continued to remain high as the country saw 4,440 suicides in the past five years.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed the number of suicides has spiked particularly over the last three years with either over or close to 1,000 suicide cases each year since 2021 with 609 (2019), 621 (2020), 1,142 (2021), 981 (2022) and 1,087 (2023).

He revealed that the majority of suicides were by men at over 3,600 cases while the number of suicides by women was over 780.

Worryingly, he noted that the Chinese community have continued to have the highest number of suicides yearly compared to other races since 2019 with non-Malaysian citizens having the second highest, while Indians and Malays both have the third and fourth highest number of suicides every year respectively.

“There is no doubt that the country is currently experiencing a drastic social and economic change due to the emergence of various new trends such as demographic changes, urbanisation, digital innovation, economic inequality, changing global economic power and global hyperconnectivity.

“This change has resulted in significant shifts in social behaviours, cultural change and behavioural change as well as a dynamic shift in family institutions and general society.

“This shows a significant need for drastic early change in social policy approach to keep up,” he said after chairing a National Social Council Meeting in Parliament here on Tuesday (July 9).

He also revealed that the National Mental Health Crisis Line or HEAL Line 15555 (Help with Empathy and Love) received over 48,900 calls from October 2022 to June 2024.

Of these calls, over 28,870 received much-needed emotional support while over 20,030 had special intervention which included being taught psychoeducation, positive coping skills and cognitive behaviour therapy.