Greater attention is needed to combat rising suicide and depression cases
The rise in suicide cases and a doubling in the prevalence of depression among Malaysians aged 16 and above should serve as a wake-up call for the country to take mental health intervention more seriously, said Befrienders KL patron Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
He said 1,114 suicide cases were recorded by the Royal Malaysia Police in 2024, compared with 1,087 in 2023, while findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 showed that nearly one million adults experienced depression, twice the prevalence recorded in 2019.
“These figures should make us stop and think about what is happening around us. There may be people we know who are struggling but have never told anyone. One of the biggest obstacles is still stigma,” he said in a statement in conjunction with the World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) here today.
Today marks the third and final year of the triennial WSPD theme for 2024-2026, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide: Start the Conversation”.
Lee said that pervasive stigma remained a major barrier to suicide prevention, with individuals experiencing emotional distress often choosing to suffer in silence for fear of being judged, perceived as weak or facing social repercussions.
“Some worry about what their family, friends or colleagues might think. Others may not even recognise what they are experiencing as something they can seek help for.
“When people are afraid to talk, they are less likely to seek help. This is why we need a better understanding of suicide. We need to be able to have conversations about emotional pain without judging the person or trying to tell them to ‘be strong’ or ‘think positive’,” he said.
Lee stressed that asking someone directly about suicide would not encourage them to take their own life, but could instead provide a safe space for those struggling to speak about their problems and seek help.
He also welcomed the decriminalisation of attempted suicide, which took effect on Sept 10, 2025, as a positive step, but said greater investment in public mental health services was needed to meet rising demand and ensure timely and affordable access to care.
“Mental health services in Malaysia have expanded, but the demand continues to grow. We need more mental health professionals and more accessible services, particularly at the community and primary-care level. People should not have to wait until they are in serious crisis before they can get help,” he said.
Lee noted that cost also remained a significant barrier, particularly for Malaysians requiring regular counselling, psychological or psychiatric treatment in the private sector.
“Private counselling, psychological and psychiatric services can be expensive, and many Malaysians simply cannot afford regular treatment. Government mental health services therefore need to be adequately resourced so that people can receive timely and appropriate care regardless of their financial circumstances,” he said.
Lee also called on Malaysians to pay closer attention to those around them and practice active, non-judgmental listening as a first step towards reducing isolation.
“If you are struggling, or worried about someone close to you, please reach out. For free and confidential emotional support, you can contact Befrienders KL at 03-76272929 (24 hours) to talk in a safe space. There is also Talian HEAL by the Ministry of Health at 15555 (8 am to 12 midnight),” he added.
WSPD was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and each year on Sept 10, it focuses global attention on suicide prevention, uniting communities, organisations, and governments with the shared belief that suicides are preventable.
Source: Bernama
Category: MJN enews
