Trigger warning: this article contains mentions of self-harm and suicide
During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, an incredibly tragic offshoot was the rise in mental health issues and suicide.
The severity of the problem is illustrated in the statistics. In the first 3 months of 2021, Malaysia recorded 336 suicide cases. Comparatively in 2020, 631 suicide cases were recorded throughout the entire year.
In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept 10, the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Medicine joined hands with the Quest Medical Society and the Student Life Division to organise a webinar on increasing suicide awareness.
Titled “Life is a Priceless Gift—Love Yourself”, the webinar featured two renowned experts sharing their knowledge on this vital issue that affects millions around the world. With hundreds of participants in attendance, the Quest Medical Society’s Sara Manzoor served as the moderator.
In her talk, Head of QIU’s Department of Psychological & Behavioural Medicine Associate Prof. Dr Bilbir Kaur explained some of the risk assessment signs that indicated whether a person who had attempted suicide was at risk of doing so again.
This included:
- Establishing the person’s intent
- Assessing the seriousness and perceived seriousness of the attempt
- Assessing how they feel about the attempt
- Identifying if there was a precipitant
- Identifying if the self-harm was planned or impulsive?
- Did the person carry out any “final acts”, like notes, leaving a will or terminating contracts
“However, prior suicide attempts are the single most important risk factor of suicide in the general population,” she said.
Dr Bilbir noted, however, that suicides are preventable with timely evidence-based and low-cost intervention.
“For national responses to be effective, a comprehensive multi-sectoral suicide prevention strategy is needed.”
Meanwhile, her fellow speaker Dr Ian Lloyd, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, called suicide a “global pandemic”
Speaking on the decriminalisation of suicide, he noted that blame should not be placed on people who attempted suicide.
“These individuals experience different stress sources. They may be trivial or life-changing,” he said.
“However, their mental health at the time might be affecting their skills to cope with the stress. This is where professionals step in to treat them and help them cope.”
All of us at QIU are grateful to the eminent speakers and dedicated departments who made this event possible. Together we can make a difference!
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Here are some facts that you should know about suicide.
- Not all people who commit suicide have a mental illness
- More than 700,000 people commit suicide every year.
- 77% of global suicides occur in low and middle-income countries.
- For every suicide there are many more who attempt suicide.
