Proactive role needed to instil suicide prevention - Lee

PEOPLE are being urged to play a more proactive role in preventing suicide by recognising early warning signs and offering support to those who may be struggling, particularly within families, workplaces, and educational institutions.

Speaking at the Suicide Prevention Conference 2025, patron of Befrienders Kuala Lumpur, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said suicide should no longer be viewed through a punitive lens, but rather as a serious mental health issue requiring compassion and timely intervention.

“Suicide is not a crime, it is a sign of overwhelming emotional pain, a cry for help. To punish someone for that pain is to add to their suffering and silence their voice. Stigma makes people feel isolated, misunderstood and judged,” he said.

Lee lauded Malaysia’s recent decision to decriminalise suicide, which was officially gazetted on 10 September—coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day—as a landmark shift in the country’s approach to mental health.

“This milestone is more than just a legal change, it is a promise that when someone struggles, we will not turn away, we will not condemn. Instead, we will say, ‘You deserve empathy, you deserve support, and most of all, you deserve a chance to heal,’” he added.

According to data from the Royal Malaysia Police, suicide cases rose by 79 per cent from 609 in 2019 to 1,087 in 2023, underlining the urgency of comprehensive prevention strategies.

The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 found that one million Malaysians aged 16 and above were experiencing depression, with half of those individuals reporting suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

Alarmingly, one in six children in Malaysia is now facing mental health challenges—a two-fold increase since 2019.

Lee stressed that addressing suicide is not solely a matter of policy or statistics, but of humanity.

“Behind every number is a face, a story, and a life that matters... and for each life lost to suicide, many more are left grieving, wondering if something could have been done differently,” he said.

He called on all Malaysians to help dismantle the stigma around suicide and mental illness, and to embrace a culture of empathy and support.

“Suicide prevention must be about more than numbers—it must be about fostering resilience, restoring hope, and recognising the value of every human life,” he said. - September 28, 2025