Working Towards a Zero-Suicide Singapore

Published by CNA on 5 April 2020. See published article.

Not trying hard enough. Weak. Crazy. Seeking attention. Selfish. Beyond help.

These are common accusations rooted in myths that people with suicidal behaviour have to contend with.

For Lucy (not her real name), having witnessed and lost a friend to suicide, she finds herself stuggling with suicide ideation on a daily basis.

“It cost me my university education, landed me in tens of thousands of debt, and left me with little means to earn enough to pay back my study loan and survive on my own. I will likely never be able to earn more than SGD$1000 a month, and will likely take my life than die of other causes in the near future.”

Unfortunately, Lucy is not alone in her hopelessness and despair. Alongside 46 other respondents in a public consultation on mental health conducted by my team, their struggles were compounded by stigma and the lack of understanding surrounding suicides in our society.

Dispelling myths surrounding suicide

In Singapore, it is a common fear that talking about suicide could encourage suicidal behaviour.

Rather than avoiding conversation, it is important that we learn how to talk about suicides responsibly. The expert consensus is to promote resources and reasons for optimism in our conversations, rather than engaging in stigmatising language.

Therefore, if we suspect that a family member or friend may be suicidal, there is no need to give solutions to their problems immediately. Without any judgement, just listen and be with them until the despair and desperation fades, before gently encouraging them to speak with a counsellor or doctor.

Secondly, suicides do not arise from mental illnesses alone.

According to the WHO, there are social and environmental factors embedded within our society and structures that contribute to an individual’s intention to self harm or suicide.

In Singapore, intense feelings of hopelessness can also arise from sudden and adverse life events including unemployment, trauma and the loss of loved ones.

I understand this all too well. 13 years ago, I contemplated the possibility of ending it all in the despair caused by a messy divorce, a failed business, and only $16 in my bank account. Thankfully, I neither attempted nor self-harmed.

It is, therefore, important to understand that suicidal thoughts can be experienced by anyone, not just certain segments of our society.

Thirdly, portrayals of suicides as a selfish decision is inaccurate.

My cousin, who has attempted suicide several times, often shares that he feels that he’s a burden to his family, even as he acknowledged that he knows how much we love him.

While reading a research study on suicide notes in Singapore, a note that brought me to tears was left by a father for his family.

“Father is reluctant to leave all of you. I have failed so badly that I have no choice.”

We need to understand that people who attempt suicide commonly feel that their lives hamper others, viewing their decisions as relieving their loved ones.

Most importantly, it is a myth that those intent on suicide are beyond help.

Suicides are preventable. Studies have shown that suicides occurs after much thought and deliberation, which suggests that timely interventions do matter. Moreover, 50% to 60% of suicide victims give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member.

Struggling with depression, Mark (not his real name) shared with me that unlike his previous counsellors who were dismissive, his current psychologist took the effort to pick up his calls at any hour of the day, especially during the worst of his episodes. He is incredibly grateful to her support.

“She was the one who worked with me until I was able to hold a job, and until I no longer needed sessions with her. She is the one who saved my life.”

The reality of suicides in Singapore

Alothough it is important to dispel myths surrounding suicide, what is more fundamental is for our Government to lead and coordinate efforts in suicide prevention.

I was dismayed to find out that Singapore was one of the few ‘high income’ countries listed without a national suicide prevention strategy by the WHO. Given the current situation of suicides in our country, I worry that a lack of strategy is costing us dearly.

From 2017 to 2019, there were 1,204 attempted suicides yearly.

Last year, the Immigration and Customs Authority reported that there were 8.36 suicides per 100,000 Singapore residents in 2018, up from 7.74 in 2017.

Although our numbers are not high by international standards, the number of deaths by suicides in Singapore has remained relatively unchanged from 9.5 suicides per 100,000 residents in the 1980s to 8.3 suicides per 100,000 residents today.

In 2018, teenage suicides were the highest since suicide tracking started in 1991. This is the same for the elderly aged 60 and above who took their own lives. Suicide has also entrenched itself as the leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 29.

““Every life is precious, and each suicide is one too many.”

In Parliament last year, Minister Desmond Lee made this commitment towards a national response for suicide prevention.

If we are to walk the talk, we need to commit to a Zero-Suicide Singapore. Through a clear commitment of prioritising and tackling suicide, the Government could make accessible resources for necessary interventions throughout our society.

Towards zero suicides

To achieve a Zero-Suicide Singapore, the Government must start with identifying currently available resources, while commiting further resources and funding towards suicide prevention.

One example is to expand funding for organisations like Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), not just to operate our de-facto national suicide helpline, but to ensure timely follow-ups with callers who need further support.

I am heartened by the Government’s recent assurance that hospitals will track admissions arising from suicide attempts. This should feed into a national strategy of data surveillance coordinated across government agencies and community partners, allowing us to develop informed strategies on suicide prevention.

In schools, many education systems such as the State Government of Victoria in Australia establish step-by-step guidelines on what to do in the event of a suicide attempt. Similarly, MOE should consider laying out their suicide protocols to parents and students clearly and transparently, to help confront increasing suicides amongst our teens.

When developing a national strategy for suicide, it is also important to include the police, the SCDF, hospitals, our teachers and community support groups, including the SOS, Please Stay Movement, Caring for Life and Oogachaga. Such alignment is necessary, to avoid having a fragmented and sub-optimal approach in suicide prevention.

Suicide prevention as every person’s responsibility

Above all, we need to remember that all of us play a part in achieving zero suicides. Apart from educating ourselves about suicides, we should be compassionate and empathetic towards those experiencing suicide ideation.

We must work together towards a zero-suicide society that cares because every life matters. And we will not be alone — countries such as the United States, South Korea, Japan and Sweden have already adopted their respective zero-suicide visions.

A Zero-Suicide Singapore as a goal joins our Vision Zero aspiration for workplace safety, and the Zero Accident movement for our public transportation. This is because when it comes to human lives, such as Lucy’s and Mark’s, nothing short of zero should ever been good enough for us.

Anthea Ong is a Nominated Member of Parliament, a social entrepreneur (Hush TeaBar, A Good Space, WorkWell Leaders Workgroup) and the author of 50 Shades of Love. www.antheaong.com

For more information on the findings from the public consultation, or to join the national conversation on mental health, please visit the volunteer-run www.sgmentalhealthmatters.com

If you or someone you know is seeking help for mental health-related issues, here are some helplines:

• Samaritans of Singapore (24-hour hotline): 1800–221–4444
• Community Health Assessment Team: 6493 6500/01 or click on the webchat icon at chat.mentalhealth.sg
• Singapore Association for Mental Health helpline: 1800–283–7019