Another Tuesday with Worries

BEFRIENDERS HELPLINE: 03 - 7956-8144


I’m sorry we have to retrace another heart-breaking and depressing subject –- suicides -- which was highlighted just last week.

The New Straits Times of September 12, 2005 front page leads off with a headline that cannot be any sadder:

MALAYSIANS
KILL
THEMSELVES
EVERY DAY

1,700 SUICIDES SO FAR THIS YEAR
* That’s 2,555 lives lost every year
* That’s 12 family members and friends, directly
or indirectly, affected for evry suicide
• That’s 30,000 traumatised people a year.

(It was 8 per 100,000 in the ‘80s.
9-12 per 100,000 in 2003)


The Page 4 report said that:

In Malaysia, there are an average of seven suicides a day. Compared with Singapore, one a day and Thailand 13 a day.

A Health Ministry’s official Wan Rokman Wan Yaacob was quoted as saying
the following are the main REASONS for suicide:
* Poverty
* Unemployment
* Loss of loved ones
* Breakdown in relationships
* Depression
* Family history.

He said that suicides occurred when emotional pain brought on by stress factors exceeded the ability to cope.
He added that early identification and treatment of mental disorders was an important strategy in preventing suicides.


DESIDERATA: The statistics stated paint a worrisome picture of the mental health of Malaysians in general, and the resultant effects of suicide victims or even those who attempt suicide leave deep and lasting mental scars among the families left behind. The picture is indeed GRIM – a total of 30,000 victims suffer from “trauma” every year in relation to “Suicide” cases.For every life lost, more than 20 others have attempted suicide.

AND we need more organizations like THE BEFRIENDERS to answer to these “desperate” cries for help – every day.

One unanswered call from potentially SEVEN X 20 people in need of help acn mean another life lost.


And after listening to some feedback from several readers, Desi has this appeal:

DO NOT BE JUGMENTAL.
DO NOT BE QUICK TO MOCK.
DO NOT CONDEMN, IF YOU CAN’T HELP –
REFER FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP!

Those who can become VOLUNTEERS, please do.
Lend a helping hand
Lend your friends in need a shoulder to cry on
Lend a sympathetic ear.

And here is a voice from a Regular Guest SABRINA TAN at Desi's Place who truly shares and cares (writing from an Xperience of someone who had walked that close to the precipice, and can now reflect with and for us:

"*People always say that the people who attempt that are stupid. Yes, they are, it's because no one gave them the hope to live on. That's why I strongly feel that in many ways, we could have prevented suicide. If we can detect that something's wrong with our friends, ( gals, listen up! as most often your instincts are good!) then just be there for them. Talk to them.
Don't lecture them/ nag them, 'cos that's the last thing that they need. If anything you are just accelerating the process.

All you can do is just show small gestures to be there for them. Show them that you care.
Show them that you want them to live on in this world.

That's the least you can do as a human being....
Sabrina *"


If it is of any consolation, Desi often finds comfort in these lyrics:

I Believe


I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows,
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows.

I believe for everyone who goes astray
Someone will come to show the way.
I believe,
Oh, I believe.

I believe above the storm
The smallest prayer, will still be heard.
I believe that someone in that great somewhere
Hears every word

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry,
Or touch a leaf
Or see the sky,
Then I know why I believe.

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry,
Or touch a leaf
Or see the sky,
Then I know why I believe.

*
*
*

UPDATE @ 11.11AM


The Star on page 10 carries this report today headlined

Guidelines for media to help prevent copycat suicides

Media reports of suicide cases, especially those involving celebrities, can have a fatal influence on those with suicidal tendencies, and the Health Ministry has issued “Guidelines for Media Reporting on Suicide”.

The media is advised NOT to publish specific details of the methodsused to commit suicide photographs of suicide scenes and suicide notes on the front page.

Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said in a speech at the launch of the Suicide Prevention Month 2005 that the way the media reported a suicide could influence readers’ action.

“Suicide is preventable. We can help by taking complaints seriously, being good and caring listeners and ensuring that those who are contemplating suicide receive proper help from experts,” he added.

The Befrienders KL chairman Zilfalila A. Rahman said it was estimated that while there were seven suicides a day, there were 70 more people making attempts to end their lives.

She said those who wanted to talk about their problems could call The Befrienders 24-hour hotline at 79568144/8145, and that their anonymity was guaranteed.