411 suicide attempts since first MCO, says ministry

Chan Kok Leong Ragananthini Vethasalam Mohd Farhan Darwis Chan Kok Leong, Ragananthini Vethasalam, Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 2 years ago · Published on 20 Sep 2021 2:45PM · 0 Comments

Numerous suicide attempts and domestic violence have been reported since the start of the MCO and to help those affected, the ministry has set up three hotlines. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 20, 2021.

THERE were 411 reported suicide attempts between March 2020 and August 2021, said the ministry of women, family and community development.

“There were 190 suicide attempts between March and December 2020; and 221 between January and August 2021,” said the ministry in a written reply to Parliament today.

“The Social Services Department also handled 1,578 domestic violence cases involving 1,432 women and 146 men since March last year.”

The government was replying to Su Keong Siong’s (Kampar-PH) question on the statistics on suicides and domestic violence since the movement control order (MCO) began in March 2020.

The ministry said that it has set up a call-in hotline via 15999 and a WhatsApp service (019-2615999) for complaints which operate 24 hours a day.

“There is also a call-in service to provide psychological support for those affected by the Covid-19 epidemic or MCO.

“This hotline involves 250 volunteer counsellors,” it added.

The ministry said it has also provided food baskets to targeted groups and home help programmes for senior citizens. – September 20, 2021.
 

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