YOU ARE NOT ALONE

In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day, Kenny Lim, executive director of Befrienders KL, talks about the warning signs and ways to seek help when it feels like hope is lost

- Kiran Pillay

Although a preventable cause of death, suicide remains a significant global health issue, with Malaysia recording a staggering 4,440 suicide cases from 2019 to 2023. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi explained that the nation is experiencing extreme social and economic change, propelled by factors like financial inequality, unpredictable digital progress and increased hyperconnectivity. He revealed that men accounted for over 3,600 cases and women for over 780 cases. Zahid also noted that the Malaysian Chinese community faced the highest rates since 2019, followed by non-citizens, Indians, and Malays.

According to Befrienders Kuala Lumpur, the pandemic and repeated lockdowns were a significant trigger. The non-profit organisation offers free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day to those experiencing distress, with a surge of help-seeking calls received between 2020 and 2021. Executive director Kenny Lim notes, “Callers frequently cited financial troubles, isolation, family or relationship issues, and stress from remote work or online schooling.”

Malaysians were heartened to reach out for help, thanks in part to an initiative by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in 2019, which made calls to the Befrienders helpline free from eight telcos at the time, including DiGi, Celcom, Maxis, U Mobile, Telekom Malaysia, Time, Unifi and Yes (by YTL Communications). The free call initiative remains applicable today.

Last year, Malaysian lawmakers also passed three bills decriminalising suicide attempts. The reforms aim to shift focus towards rehabilitation for at-risk individuals, encouraging help-seeking behaviour and reducing stigma around suicide.