GEORGE TOWN – Malaysia will continue to struggle with a high suicide rate and the issue of suicidal ideation unless the cultural stigma associated with mental illness is overcome.
Penang Befrienders chairman Damian Lee Wan Tong told The Vibes that one of the biggest obstacles is the mistaken belief in Asian societies that mental health issues are a “myth” or should be managed only by the sufferers.
“Our society frowns on people with mental illness, and we tend to stay away from suicide cases.
“We need to make it clear that it’s fine to seek help for psychological challenges.”
He said the topic is often treated as a taboo, and that calls for mental illness to be dealt with like any other type of health problem are not received well.
Culturally, people tend to liken mental illness to the fallacy that the sufferer is cursed by a bomoh or medium. They tend to resort to traditional practices to drive out the so-called ‘curses’.
“However, the proper way to handle this is by understanding what mental illness is about in the first place.”
He said non-profit emotional support group Befrienders welcomes volunteers to reach out to individuals facing psychological problems.
At present, there are 80 such volunteers, who are trained as counsellors and take calls from 3pm to midnight daily.
“They work in three shifts: 3pm to 6pm, 6pm to 9pm, and 9pm to midnight,” said Lee.
“With more volunteers, the helpline can be open around the clock.”
He said the Penang Befrienders helpline is busiest between 9pm and midnight.
Callers talk about the various issues they face, including those to do with their job, income, studies, family, friends and romantic partners, he said, warning that failure to properly address these concerns could lead to suicidal ideation.
“Suicidal thoughts are ambivalent. Those with anxiety just want to end their (mental) suffering, as they feel like they can’t find a way out.
“They are on the edge. And when they’re sitting on the ledge, for instance, they have mixed thoughts.
“They tend to experience moments of doubt, so it’s important for society to detect those signs and quickly get them the help they need,” he said, stressing that such individuals should not be left alone without support.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia saw an average of four suicides a day in the first three months of 2021, with 336 cases having been reported to police.
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the figure for January to March is more than half of the cases recorded throughout 2020.
There were 631 suicides reported last year, he said, an increase from 609 in 2019.
Individuals without a support system and under extreme stress are at a higher risk of experiencing poor mental health, including depression.
Penang Befrienders can be contacted at 04-2910-100 or 011-5670-6261 (WhatsApp); Befrienders is reachable at 03-7627-2929 or [email protected]; and, the Talian Kasih hotline is 15999. – The Vibes, July 1, 2021
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