Nation

MoH backs decriminalising suicide attempts

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry (MoH) has pledged its support for efforts in decriminalising suicide attempts and the review of Section 309 of the Penal Code which criminalises the act.

This would be part of the ministry's suicide prevention campaign.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said decriminalising suicide would encourage those struggling with mental health issues to step forward and seek help.

The Covid-19 pandemic, he said, has led to mental anguish among people around the globe, including Malaysians.

"The police found deaths due to suicide rose from 609 cases in 2019 to 631 cases in 2020.

"As of July 2021, police have received 638 reports of suicide - an increase by 262 cases from that recorded between Jan to July 2020 (143 per cent increase or 1.4 times higher).

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that over 703,000 suicides occur every year around the globe, with an average of one suicide every 40 seconds.

"In 2019, one in 100 deaths (globally) took place by suicide. For each of the lives lost, it was estimated that 135 of their family members or friends suffered emotional, social and economic impact," he said in a statement today.

In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day today (Sep 10), Dr Noor Hisham said the Health ministry will undertake several initiatives to instill awareness on suicide prevention, eradicate stigma surrounding suicidal tendencies and reduce deaths because of suicide in the country.

"Suicidal behaviours include suicidal ideation, suicidal plan, suicidal attempt and deaths due to suicide.

"Among our initiatives will be to bolster mental health and psychosocial support services through the ministry's Psychosocial Support Helpline with other NGOs to widen access of these services to individuals who need mental and psychosocial support.

"The ministry will also increase psychology (counseling) officers at the district level and health clinics to strengthen our mental health services and the prevention of violence, injury and abuse of substance.

"We will also provide continuous training to first-line responders that include healthcare workers, police and firemen to hone their skills in tackling suicidal behaviours," he said.

The ministry, he said, will also advocate the "Let's TALK Minda Sihat" awareness campaign targeting groups and the larger public across agencies in an integrated manner that involves mass media, social media and other stakeholders.

He said, the ministry will step up engagement sessions with various ministries and agencies as part of its whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to curb suicidal tendencies.

Dr Noor Hisham also advised the public to play their part in preventing suicides through simple gestures such as checking in on family members and people around them, especially if the Covid-19 pandemic affected them.

"Encourage and support them to seek help and treatment.

"Avoid circulating news, videos, or pictures related to suicide incidents on social media.

"Eradicate negative stigma placed on family members or other individuals with mental illnesses and do not pass judgements on suicidal behaviours.

"Maintain your relationship with them and provide social support, especially when a crisis occurs," he added.

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