FILM star Henry Golding has shared his concerns about the alarming rise of suicide and suicide attempts in Malaysia, due to factors brought on by the prolonged lockdown following the ongoing battle with Covid-19 pandemic.

The Malaysian-British actor said it was important to speak up about this issue and has challenged fellow Malaysians to reach out to others in their lives, not just to make small talk.

“It can be so simple. Think of three friends who may need that text or that small call for three to four minutes, just to check in on them. Really ask them how they are doing and coping with everything,” he said in his recent four-minute Instagram TV post.

He said in these trying times, people may take for granted their mental state and emotional fragility. This may lead to suicide or thoughts of it especially when faced with hardship and uncertain future following job losses, absence of social interactions and being cooped up in the middle of densely populated cities like Kuala Lumpur.

“Those numbers are sadly climbing. We can do something about it. Help support the people around us. Having that small outreach can prevent something disastrous from happening,” he said.

Golding also implored people with dark thoughts about themselves to connect with someone or reach out to support organisations such as the National Council of Befrienders Malaysia and the Malaysian Mental Health Association for help.

“I know you’re all locked up and it would be nice to talk to people. Hearing somebody say they’re thinking of you can make such a drastic change,” he added.

According to the police, a total of 468 suicide cases were recorded in the first five months of 2021, 631 in 2020 and 609 cases in 2019. Of the total this year, 117 were in Selangor alone.

Bukit Aman CID director Abd Jalil Hassan believes contributing factors to these factors include emotional distress as well as family and financial problems.

If you are depressed or know someone who may be at risk, you may reach out to befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for help in different states; or call the Befrienders hotline on 03-7627-2929; Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service on 03-2935-9935 or 014-322-3392; Talian Kasih on 15999; or the Malaysian Mental Health Association on 03-7782-5499. – Bernama, July 4, 2021.