Simply being around is a good start

I REFER to the report “Suicide cases on the rise” (The Star, Sept 11). The fact that many teenagers are thinking about ending their lives means that we need to do something.What could lead someone to suicide? Normally, it is not a single factor but a combination of many factors that pushes someone to the brink of suicide. A person who ends his or her life does not necessarily want to die; it is the unbearable emotional pain that the person wants to end.

Suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in preventing it. It is important to learn about the warning signs of suicidal intention because up to 80% of those who are thinking of ending their lives give out warning signs. These warning signs are not made up to get attention; they are desperate cries for help.