CHILDREN as young as 10 are sending emails to seek help and confide about their depression, largely because of a lack of attention from parents, said a suicide helpline.

Befrienders Kuala Lumpur executive director Kenny Lim said this is a worrying sign, pointing out that the depression rate for those under 20 is increasing each year.

Befrienders KL is a non-profit organisation offering emotional support for the lonely, those in distress or despair, or people with suicidal thoughts.

Lim said although these children do not state their intention to commit suicide, the chances of them causing self-harm increase as they grow older.

“In the emails, these children say they have no problems in terms of material aspects, but more of a case of lack of love from parents. It may be an isolated case, but in my opinion, this is the major problem for many of our kids and teenagers today.

“If this continues, they may commit suicide. Same for the 13-year-old pupil recently. We know he had problems with school tasks, but one factor can’t lead you to take your own life.

“There must be several factors, and 80% of those who committed suicide already showed the tendency in the early stages of their lives, but people around them failed to notice it,” Lim told The Malaysian Insight.

He said symptoms of suicidal tendencies include expressing ways to end their life, being aggressive, feeling depressed for a long period of time and losing interest in things they like.

In 2018, 37.5% of the calls received by Befrienders were about suicidal thoughts, he said.

“Half of the calls were also about mental health issues, such as bipolar, depression, relationship problems, family problems, financial and education.”

It is also fielding more calls each year – in 2017, Befrienders handled 26,927 calls, 2016 (24,821), 2015 (21,256) and 2014 (19,410).

Nearly 80% of those seeking help called, while the rest sent emails and visited its office in Petaling Jaya, said Lim.

An age breakdown shows that 19.7% of the callers are between 21 and 29, followed by 30 and 49 (16.8%), 15 and 20 (14.3%), 50 and 69 (7.4%), 5 and 14 (1%), and 70 and above (0.5%). Some 40% refuse to disclose their age.

“Last year was the first time we got complaints from those aged 14 and the younger generation preferring to send emails rather than call,” Lim said.

“From 30,075 calls (in 2018), 66.2% were female, 31.7% male and 2.1% not known.”

Teenagers are the most vulnerable group in terms of suicide, he said.

“A majority of them have problems with their family. They don’t get attention, and that is the main reason for their depression.

“Maybe for some, this is a small problem, but we don’t know how important that is for them,” said Lim, who has been volunteering at Befrienders for 21 years.

The main cause of suicide is family and friends, as well as a lack of knowledge on mental health issues, he said.

“We lack awareness. Friends do not know this is a disease. We must address this issue before it is too late. The percentage of suicide is high for those who have problems with family and friends.”

A 2017 study by the National Health Institute showed at least 10% of the 5.5 million youth in the country had suicidal thoughts.

Lim said Befrienders offers emotional support through calls, emails and appointments, as well as a free outreach programme.

“We have 120 volunteers. We provide a safe place for those with emotional problems so that they can share them with us without the fear of being judged.

“Our volunteers must also be able to control their emotions through comprehensive training before they can offer support.”

Lim thanked the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission for cooperating with all eight telecommunications companies by waiving the call charges made to Befrienders since last August.

“It is a positive move, so those with problems can call us without thinking about the charge. We have had an increase since August.”

Befrienders is also hoping to set up more branches and attract volunteers. The organisation has nine branches so far, in Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Malacca, Muar, Johor Baru, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

It can be reached at 03-7956-8144/45, or by email at [email protected], or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/BefriendersKL. – September 9, 2019.