Raising a red flag about suicide

I WOULD like to raise a red flag: There is a perfect storm brewing for suicidal behaviour in this country, and it is a serious emergency. It’s so depressing to read of the drastic increase in the number of suicides – police statistics reveal that 468 cases were reported nationwide between January and May this year. In comparison, there were 609 cases for the whole of 2019 and 631 cases in all of 2020. The study by the police identified the main causes are family problems, financial issues and stress.

Indeed, many are going through much hardship and mental stress. Many are jobless (and have no other source of income) and are even unable to go out to look for work. The various phases of the movement control orders have created much difficulty for the unemployed. Many families are in dire straits and food security is now a matter of life and death.