In 2009, a total of 401 confirmed suicides were recorded. 267 of them were male, while the remaining 134 were female.The suicide rate increased from 8.76 per 100,000 residents in 2008 to 9.35 in 2009.
These figures were revealed in a press release by Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), a confidential hotline for people in crisis.
Young men in the age group of 20-29 were found to be at high risk of suicide. Those who called in to the SOS hotline talked about difficulties and anxieties in coping with life's stressors.
Youths were also another high risk group. Such callers were concerned about their studies, family and relationship problems, as well as crisis and identity-related issues.
On 8 September, SOS will hold a workshop on suicide prevent among young people, conducted by Professor Graham Martin who is the national advisor on suicide prevention to the Australian government. Prof Martin is also the keynote speaker for a conference on suicide prevention on 9 September.
SOS handles an average of 3,330 calls per month, or 110 calls per day. The 24-hour hotline (1800-221-4444) is manned by trained volunteers. Ms Christine Wong, the Executive Director of SOS, said that the organisation's ability to help those in need is limited by the number of volunteers.
Those who are interested in volunteering with SOS may e-mail to pv@samaritans.org.sg. Those who wish to know more about the upcoming workshop and conference may visit http://samaritansofsingapore.blogspot.com for more information.
If we can divide the group of these suicidal peoples..... 1) students 2) financial distress 3) old folks. What can Singaporeans do to helps these people. 1) Why do we need stressful education systems 2) Money management 3) How to helps the old/poor in Singapore
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