Suicides rise in S'pore

Jul 26, 2010


SUICIDES rose in Singapore last year as the economy went into a recession. A total of 401 people took their own lives, up from 364 in 2008.

In the latest statistics released on Monday by the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), a helpline dedicated to suicide prevention, the rate of suicide went up from 8.76 per 100,000 residents in 2008 to 9.35 last year as Singapore battled its worst recession.

While suicide rates have been known to rise during bad times, the SOS statistics are showing more worryingly, that suicide rates among youths are on the rise as well.

The total number of suicides among those aged 10 to 19 years reached a six-year high in 2009, with 19 youths taking their own lives. This is a stark 58 per cent jump from a year earlier when 12 suicide cases among youths were reported.

Based on statistics from 1991 to now, there has been three clear peaks in suicide rates among youths in Singapore, occuring in 1998, 2001 and 2009, all of which coincided with the economic instability.

During the Asian financial crisis in 1998, youth suicides jumped from 22 deaths from 14 the year before. Similarly, youth suicides hit a record 27 deaths in 2001 during the economic downturn.

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My opinions: The summary of the article is that all three peaks in suicide rate among youths from age 10 to 19 coincided with the economic instability, and that sucidide among youth is increasing. Also, in 2008 there were 12 youths committed suicide and the number jumped to 19 this year.

Economic poses stress on people. When people are faced with problems, they seek solution and if can't, they think that suicide is the only way out.

However, suicide is not a permanent solution.

It not only destroy your own future, it is a very irresponsible act to your family members, relatives and friends.

Before we do anything rash or silly, we have to think of our family members, especially our parents who raise us up. Who will take care of them when they are old and weak?

Hence, we should not seek suicide as it is irresponsible, and it's not the only solution.

If we see people who are prone to seek their own lifes, it's best to ask them about their problems or refer them to an adult they can trust, or even a counsellor, as it is best to talk things out before they do anything impulsive.