ADULTS need to take children and youths seriously when talks or threats of suicide arise, a psychologist said following news on police statistics that more than 800 out of 1,708 suicides since 2019 involved teenagers.

Children are showing an awareness of taking one’s own life at a young age, said Alice Lee, a registered psychological counsellor, with those as young as six threatening suicide to pressure their parents.

“Parents discipline or beat their children, and the child then says they are going to commit suicide and threaten to jump off a building,” Lee told The Malaysian Insight, recounting one of the cases she had dealt with.

“Have messages on suicide become more prevalent in our surroundings? Otherwise, children under the age of 10 generally do not have this concept.

“I urge parents to pay more attention. If you hear a child say something like this, don’t take it lightly, you should pay attention and resolve it immediately,” Lee said.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Abd Jalil Hassan had on July 1 released statistics showing a total of 1,708 suicides from 2019 to May.

While there were 609 suicides in 2019 and 631 last year, there was a stark increase in the first five months of this year, with 468 cases.

Lee said common problems faced by 15- to 18-year-olds are academic pressure and family relationships.

These problems are worsened now with lockdowns to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“The impact of the pandemic has put many family relationships to the test. Existing problems are amplified and relationships become more strained, for example, between husband and wife, both stuck at home.

“The children see what is going on, but don’t know what to do and feel a great sense of powerlessness.”

Her counselling centre has also received more calls for help during lockdown periods regarding academic concerns.

“Youth are expressing their worries and fears about their schoolwork and their future. Some of them were preparing to enter secondary school, but because of the pandemic, their grades are unsatisfactory.”

Teen suicides were a hot topic in 2019 when a supposed suicide game called Blue Whale emerged on Facebook.

Researchers and investigators also found the existence of online groups talking about suicide and certain individuals who instigated others on social media to commit suicide.

Lee said since the nationwide total lockdown began on June 1, cases at her counselling centre have increased by over 50%.

Youths, as well as older people, are becoming increasingly unable to manage their emotional problems.

“I have noticed that those asking for consultation are getting younger, ranging from teenagers to middle-aged people who are unemployed because of the pandemic.

“For teens, they are usually outgoing at this age, but the pandemic has kept them at home for a long time.”

Suicide among women

Bukit Aman’s statistics also showed that of the total 1,708 suicides from 2019 to May this year, 1,427 were women.

Lee said data here and in other countries generally showed that men have a higher suicide “success rate” compared to women, because of more definitive methods used.

The rescue rate for women attempting suicide is generally higher as they tend to use gentler methods which can be discovered sooner and prevented, Lee said.

She said men’s and women’s brains have some differences that can cause them to deal with pain and unhappiness in different ways.

“Women are more sensitive to pain. Men’s brain structure divides pain and unhappiness into other spaces.

“Women naturally respond to pain more. At the same time, women are also more prone to depression, so if they are troubled by depression, some will consider the idea of suicide.”

Don’t glamourise suicide

Psychologist Lee Chee Siang, meanwhile, called for a stop to posting suicide videos and photos on social media.

These kinds of posts will aggravate the people who are already depressed and entertain suicidal thoughts.

“When they see a post about another suicide and maybe over lesser circumstances than their own, it can prompt them to go through with the suicide. Or such posts may fuel the feeling that there is no more point in living.

While social media users should exercise control over what they post, he added that the media, too, have a role to play.

“Avoid explicit and horrifying photos, and watch (what you write in) news headlines. In these difficult times, we should report on how to find assistance to create more hope.

He said most cases received by his counselling centre are aged 10 to 20, and 40 to 50.

“For the older age group, it is mainly due to changes in their life and work which cause them stress when they have to readapt and adjust.

“Some of these are company closures, layoffs, or movement restrictions that reduce activities and social outlets, causing them depression.

“If you have been under depression and pressure for a long time, you will be unable to deal with difficulties and you will gradually feel powerless.

“Feelings of powerlessness can cause anxiety and depression, and some start to look at suicide as an option.”

Mercy Malaysia communications officer Nur Nabilah Huda Nasaruddin said it has worked with the Health Ministry and other welfare and civil society groups to set up a counselling hotline since the early days of the pandemic last year.

From March last year to this June, the hotline has received nearly 4,000 calls for help, she said.

“Last year, the peak for calls received was from March to April. Then calls slowed down as people seemed to adjust to the lockdown.

“However, with this year’s movement-control over 3.0, calls peaked again. In June alone, there were 165 calls for help.”

Most callers are aged between 30 and 39.

“They face psychosocial challenges, such as anxiety, Covid-19 stress and depression. Some also asked about Covid-19 consultation like what are the symptoms, where to get tested and the lockdown standard operating procedure.

“People are just needing to find outlets or someone to talk to for emotional expression,” Nur Nabilah said.

Mercy Malaysia’s consultation or psychotherapy services can be obtained by sending a WhatsApp to 019-2017 945 or an email to [email protected].

If you need help or someone to talk to, other services available are:

• Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service: 03-29359935 or 014-3223392
• Talian Kasih: 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999
• Jakim’s Family, Social and Community care centre: WhatsApp 0111-9598214
• Befrienders Kuala Lumpur: 03-76272929. – July 7, 2021.