Golden Period?- Suicide figures up - 419 deaths last year
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Suicide figures up - 419 deaths last year
The number was 346 in 2003. Two age groups stand out - men in their 40s, women in their 50sBy Radha Basu, Community Correspondent
THE economy is buzzing, the future looks rosy, but more people here are quietly ending their lives.
A total of 419 people committed suicide last year, up from 346 in 2003.
The suicide rate per 100,000 residents - a sobering indicator in population statistics - is also on the upswing, growing from 9.3 in 2003 to 10.3 last year, figures from the Registry of Births and Deaths reveal.
It is the fourth straight rise in as many years.
Two age groups - men in their 40s and women in their 50s - stand out. Their suicide numbers outpaced population increases.
Mrs Tan Yoke Yin, executive director of suicide-prevention group Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), said that interpersonal, social and psychological pressures could be driving people over the brink.
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Such problems were expressed by a majority of the callers to the SOS crisis-line in recent years.
Men in their 40s are a worry for Mrs Tan. Last year, 65 such men killed themselves, the highest for any age group in either gender. It works out to more than one a week.
They are in the so-called 'sandwich generation' which has the burden of caring for young children and ageing parents. Work stress also tends to be high in this age group.
Mrs Tan said: 'Men are also far less likely to seek help than women. If their coping mechanism is not strong, they could be in trouble.'
More women in their 50s have also gone over the edge. Last year, 33 killed themselves, up from 16 in 2003. They too were in the sandwich generation.
While veteran counsellor Anthony Yeo, thinks that suicide rates and the economy's health are not necessarily co-related, the 'pressure to perform at a time when almost everyone else is doing well could increase the stress for some'.
Mr Yeo, consultant therapist at the Counselling and Care Centre, added: 'This, in turn, could make them suicidal.'
National University of Singapore social work professor Kalyani Mehta pointed out that a buzzing economy did not translate into a decline in social problems.
On the contrary, there are 'more divorces, more bankruptcies, the population is ageing and there is a growing sandwich generation that is feeling the stress,' said Dr Mehta, who is also a Nominated Member of Parliament.
A different explanation was offered by psychiatrist Chia Boon Hock, who has been studying suicides here since 1970.
Dr Chia noted that coroner's courts were increasingly returning more suicide verdicts rather than leaving a case as 'open' or 'undetermined'.
Whatever the reasons for the rise, seeking help early remains the main way to try and lower suicide rates.
Mrs Tan said: 'Caregivers or even potential victims must be taught to seek help early.'
Too often, caregivers were too preoccupied with work or family concerns and missed the warning signs which could have led to help from a counsellor or a psychiatrist.
Ms Mary Lee (not her real name), 32, who is being treated for depression, knows all too well the importance of seeking help.
A series of family-related problems - including abuse by her stepmother - caused her to attempt suicide more than once, the latest in December last year.
'Sometimes I felt captive to suicidal thoughts,' said the teacher who now lives alone. 'Talking to a professional can help set you free.'
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SOS short of volunteers
THE 24-hour crisis hotline run by suicide-prevention group Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) is in a crisis of its own: it desperately needs more volunteers.
The hotline has been handling about 50,000 calls - or about 135 a day - the past couple of years, but the number of new recruits to man the phones is falling.
According to figures from the group's annual report last week, the number of calls handled by the hotline annually has grown from 43,255 in the year ending March 2005 to 49,025 in March this year.
Only about one in seven callers, however, was deemed as being at risk of actually committing suicide.
The number of new recruits, meanwhile, has fallen from 74 to 35 during the same period. Currently, the group has 175 active volunteers to man its lines.
But that is not enough. 'With suicide rates on the rise, we really need more volunteers,' said SOS executive director Tan Yoke Yin.
She worries that one of the reasons for a recent dip in calls could be that not all calls are being picked up.
Volunteers provide an important lifeline to distressed people who call the hotline.
'I don't think anybody really wants to die,' said a 60-year-old SOS volunteer who wanted to be known only as Rani. 'Talking to us gives callers the time to stop and think.'
Volunteers put in three to four hours manning the lines three times a month and do one 12-hour night shift during the same period.
'Nights are crucial and very busy for us,' said Rani, a housewife who has been manning the lines for nearly a decade. 'That's when many of the calls come in.'
To volunteer, log on to www.samaritans.org.sg or call the SOS hotline
RADHA BASU -
MIWs don't talk about the suicide rate increase as they are afraid the image of Singapore will be tarnished.
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tats a startling figure.......
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key point is INCREASE not DECREASEOriginally posted by sg mata:tats a startling figure.......
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i think it all has to do with our attitude.
philipinos are poor and frankly, many live miserable lives, but they are the happiest people in Asia while we are much richer and have less problems but the least happy people in Asia. Thats why we see so many of these anti govt ranters here who are frankly very childish. -
Pls Define "SIMPLE & CLEAN" AttitudeOriginally posted by Mat Toro:i think it all has to do with our attitude.
philipinos are poor and frankly, many live miserable lives, but they are the happiest people in Asia while we are much richer and have less problems but the least happy people in Asia. Thats why we see so many of these anti govt ranters here who are frankly very childish.
kinda me me of 1 song
Utada Hikaru of Kingdom Hearts "Simple & Clean" 
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talk nuisance again. please don't compare filippinos with us. The cost of living is low in Philippines and you compare them with us. Use your brain! With several thousands Sing dollars can buy a property there, you compare them to us!! Please don't insult your own intelligence if you have one!! Put your brain to good use!Originally posted by Mat Toro:i think it all has to do with our attitude.
philipinos are poor and frankly, many live miserable lives, but they are the happiest people in Asia while we are much richer and have less problems but the least happy people in Asia. Thats why we see so many of these anti govt ranters here who are frankly very childish.
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YOu are the one who is childish, only a child will compare apple to orange, and you are just doing the same.Originally posted by Mat Toro:i think it all has to do with our attitude.
philipinos are poor and frankly, many live miserable lives, but they are the happiest people in Asia while we are much richer and have less problems but the least happy people in Asia. Thats why we see so many of these anti govt ranters here who are frankly very childish. -
i think self pity is the cause of suicides.
very Singaporean mentality, that nothing is ever OUR fault.
that someone else let us down (ie. Government, children, boss etc) -
u might wanna find out what attributed to the 'least happy people' in singapore tats making them the unhappiest in Asia.. people are not born unhappy.. even a country like Japan & korea has far more happier people even though their worload or pressure in life is even if not more than singapore..Originally posted by Mat Toro:i think it all has to do with our attitude.
philipinos are poor and frankly, many live miserable lives, but they are the happiest people in Asia while we are much richer and have less problems but the least happy people in Asia. Thats why we see so many of these anti govt ranters here who are frankly very childish.
, but of course, y wud the gahmen and its puppies care? -
yes fillipinos are poor and they have a very corrupt civil service. However I do not think they're happy.. they're just come to terms there's no way they can escape their poverty cycle. The nation is heavily supported by millions of foreign domestic workers who come to countries like Singapore, HK, Dubai to earn a living for their families back home.Originally posted by Mat Toro:i think it all has to do with our attitude.
philipinos are poor and frankly, many live miserable lives, but they are the happiest people in Asia while we are much richer and have less problems but the least happy people in Asia. Thats why we see so many of these anti govt ranters here who are frankly very childish.
In Singapore, we want progress and i see nothing wrong in that. We know we have a relatively stable government, so we strive for the best, we strive for a better Singapore for our children.
I view so called 'rants' about the government as calls for change, for improvement. it is with a different perspective, a different opinion that we can facilitate change. It would be sad to see a ruling body so pre occupied with what they have they forget the very people who chose them to lead the nation.
Suicide figures rise and fall.. if next year there were less suicides, are we as a nation getting better? It's not a good indicator of how society is doing. And of course no government will talk on topics that will potentially cause unwanted emotional feelings to rise within the populace. -
Filipinos do not have high rise flat to jump from....
The threatened suicide rate may well be very similar, but once you jump off the building it's too late to change your mind. -
life is really tough in the philippines. families are split and kids sell backside to pay for school.
they have train tracks and wells to jump into, yet they value life more than singaporeans. -
you are a joker....how sure are you that most ppl there are poor? did you specificially interview each 1 of them during your trip there i assume?Originally posted by Mat Toro:life is really tough in the philippines. families are split and kids sell backside to pay for school.
they have train tracks and wells to jump into, yet they value life more than singaporeans.
talking about comparing apples to orange....back to topic here ah.... -
been to philippines many times.
they are very poor but happy people. we singaporeans need to learn something from them don't you think? -
I believe they value life more, because they at the least, have freedom...Originally posted by Mat Toro:life is really tough in the philippines. families are split and kids sell backside to pay for school.
they have train tracks and wells to jump into, yet they value life more than singaporeans. -
Soon, these negative reports in the papers and everywhere else, will be too stark for the MIWs to side-step... already effects of their unfeeling policies are mounting by the year...Originally posted by qlqq9:MIWs don't talk about the suicide rate increase as they are afraid the image of Singapore will be tarnished. -
Yes, Singapore should learn to be like them; shed the World Class label and be a HAPPY Thrid World Country...Originally posted by Mat Toro:been to philippines many times.
they are very poor but happy people. we singaporeans need to learn something from them don't you think? -
Yet another sweeping statement based on personal observations.Originally posted by Mat Toro:life is really tough in the philippines. families are split and kids sell backside to pay for school.
they have train tracks and wells to jump into, yet they value life more than singaporeans.
You must really have visited Philippines countless times to have witnessed their 'kids sell backside' to pay for their education.
Since your basis of 'valued life' is based on the overall national suicide rate, can you provide reliable statistics to show that there are significantly LESS suicide cases in Philippines as opposed to SG?
In a wartorn country, their people do not need pay much attention to suicides, with the Abu Sayyaf Group and MILF running amok in their country initiating K and R cases for the govt to solve. The number of running battles with these terrorists provide enough of a casualty count without the need to add suicides to their stats.
And if people were truly intent on suicide, they need not seek out 'train tracks and wells' when there are plenty of easier alternatives to expedite their bid. -
Although our suicide rates are high & going up each year, u will notice that nowadays it's very seldom reported in the newspapers.
I believe that this an attempt by some quarters not to project a negative
image of the country to everyone including foreigners. -
they do have freedom to sell backside and elect corrupt govt, that much i know.Originally posted by HyperFocal:I believe they value life more, because they at the least, have freedom...
actually not much freedom. we singaporeans have both freedom and money, but still complen complen. -
no singapore shld be world class but learn to be humble like them.Originally posted by HyperFocal:Yes, Singapore should learn to be like them; shed the World Class label and be a HAPPY Thrid World Country... -
I hope the TS can be more accurate in presenting the TOPIC because last year is 2006, while the report is comparing 2004 to 2003, when Singapore is going through it recession.
I am saying this because there are many blind sheep in this forum, hence if you write like this, they will JUMP into conclusion that while economy is doing well, en bloc fever and minister salary etc and we have more and more people dying. And the cause will be because of GST hike that just kick in less than 2 months ago. -
Originally posted by BillyBong:
not sweeping statement sir. Their per capita GDP on a ppp index is less than one sixth of ours.
Yet another sweeping statement based on personal observations.
you have never been to poor country before right?
thats reality sir. go there and see for yourself. you have no idea how tough life is there.
You must really have visited Philippines countless times to have witnessed their 'kids sell backside' to pay for their education.
dunno abt suicide rate but they are definitely happier people because they are humble.
Since your basis of 'valued life' is based on the overall national suicide rate, can you provide reliable statistics to show that there are significantly LESS suicide cases in Philippines as opposed to SG?
yes, abu sayyaf and milf too where people have to fight and die for their freedom while we take it for granted and still complen.
In a wartorn country, their people do not need pay much attention to suicides, with the Abu Sayyaf Group and MILF running amok in their country initiating K and R cases for the govt to solve. The number of running battles with these terrorists provide enough of a casualty count without the need to add suicides to their stats.
sure, they can eat pesticides, go drown in a river, hang, overdose of drugs, shoot with gun etc.
And if people were truly intent on suicide, they need not seek out 'train tracks and wells' when there are plenty of easier alternatives to expedite their bid. [/b] -
I think they should rename this forum as PAP's Corner...