KOTA KINABALU: Two deaths and an attempted suicide reported within less than a month in the city should serve as a wake-up call for stronger suicide prevention efforts and greater community support, says Befrienders Malaysia.
National Council of Befrienders Malaysia president Datuk Jessie Ting said the incidents highlighted the urgent need for early intervention and greater awareness of the often-hidden signs of emotional distress.
“Sometimes, the warning signs are hidden behind silence, withdrawal, exhaustion, anger, sadness, forced laughter or repeated assurances that they are ‘fine’.
“Suicidal thinking is often not a sign of weakness, but a signal of distress that has gone unattended for too long,” she said in a statement on Sunday (June 14).
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 720,000 people die by suicide worldwide each year. It estimates that there are about 20 suicide attempts for every suicide death.
Ting urged the public to be more attentive to those around them and to reach out when they notice signs that someone may be struggling.
“A simple message can mean more than we realise, such as ‘How are you doing today?’ or ‘I’m here if you want to talk’,” she said.
She also called on the public not to record, share or circulate images and videos of suicide victims or incident scenes, saying such material could retraumatise grieving families and cause further distress to vulnerable individuals.
Ting said media practitioners, citizen journalists and social media users should avoid sensationalising suicide-related incidents and instead help direct those in need towards available support services.
“Let us not only respond to the crisis, but work together to prevent it by guiding people towards the helplines and support services they need,” she said.
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 on WhatsApp; Jakim’s (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) family, social and community care centre at 0111-959 8214 on WhatsApp; and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur at 03-7627 2929 or go to befrienders.org.my/centre-in-
