MORE than 80 per cent of the 5,857 reported suicide cases in Malaysia involve men, particularly young adults and those in the workforce, underscoring a worrying national trend, authorities revealed.
The data, covering the period from 2020 to October 2025, was shared by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) at a closed-door Youth Roundtable on Early Intervention for Youth Suicide held in Kuala Lumpur today. Of these cases, 1,813 involved individuals aged between 15 and 30.
Speaking after the conference, Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh expressed deep concern about the prevalence of male victims and the possibility that many incidents remain unreported.
She also warned that insensitive media reporting could trigger ‘copycat’ incidents.
“We do not have precise figures because many cases go unreported. Often, we only capture data when a suicide occurs, and the majority of victims are men. This is why we are deeply concerned about media coverage, which can inadvertently encourage ‘copycat’ behaviour,” she said.
Yeoh stressed the need for comprehensive training across the entire ecosystem, noting that those affected are not only school students but predominantly young working adults.
“Stigma remains a major barrier. Young people seeking help are often labelled, even by lecturers, colleagues, teachers, or family members.
“We have heard testimonies of youths who fear reaching out because they worry their struggles will be discussed at school or at work. Some are mocked with terms like ‘crazy’ or told they need medication. This is not a joke—it is a matter of life and death,” she said.
The minister highlighted that stigma in workplaces and educational institutions often compels young people to remain silent. Many callers to crisis hotlines, particularly men, repeatedly hang up before finally speaking, indicating severe distress.
“We send counsellors to schools, but the data shows that most affected individuals are working youth. Employers also need to be trained to understand and address these issues,” Yeoh said.
She added that some individuals spend up to a year seeking proper support before accessing appropriate treatment, with some ultimately becoming part of the statistics due to misdirection or negative labelling.
In addition to youth, the data indicates rising cases among children and the elderly. Selangor recorded the highest number of suicides, followed by Johor, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang. - November 26, 2025
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