SGP Suicide Rates UP! UP! UP! 9.35% !!!

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Singapore News





Increase in suicide rates in S'pore, male suicides double that of female
By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 26 July 2010 1818 hrs


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Increase in suicide rates in S'pore, male suicides double that of female


SINGAPORE: Figures from the Samaritans of Singapore, SOS, showed that the total number of suicides has increased from 364 in 2008 to 401 last year.

This it says brings the suicide rate to 9.35 per 100,000 residents from 8.76 per 100,000 in 2008.

Counsellors say the ups and downs of the economy mirror the changes in the suicide rate.

But the SOS says while five-year figures point to this link, it counsels a wide range of problems, including marital and psychological issues.

Ms Christine Wong, executive director of SOS said: "In many suicide cases, there may not be an isolated factor leading to suicide, but an accumulation of various stresses, overwhelming the individual.

"Whether an event is deemed as stressful or not depends on the perspectives and coping abilities of each individual, hence what may seem relatively trivial to one may be devastating to another. Feelings of desperation and hopelessness are more accurate predictors of suicide."

Among youths, there was also an increase in numbers from 12 to 19 in two years - to hit a five-year high.

Men accounted for two in three suicide deaths. Last year, men accounted for 267 of 401 recorded suicides, double that of female suicides, 134.

Young men in the age group of 20-29 were found to be at high risk.

Among them, suicides among men in their 20s doubled to 51, the highest since 1991.

Ms Wong said: "They are afraid of burdening their family, that they can't clear their debts. They think they can resolve matters through death. They probably didn't want to die, they just wanted to end their pain."

According to some psychiatrists, the higher number of suicides among men is not an unusual trend. It is also a trend seen in the west.

One reason is that it is to do with how men choose to end their lives. And secondly, when it comes to dealing with their problems, men don't tend to seek help, thus pushing themselves into a deeper depressive spiral.

That's why experts say it's important to spot the signs early. These include symptoms of desperation and depression, such as being withdrawn from society.

Some will talk openly about committing suicide, or give away their possessions.

Experts say it's important thing to pay attention to these signs, and offer help and emotional support.

SOS runs a 24-hour confidential helpline, as well as an email counselling service.

It also runs a bereavement support group called Healing Bridge for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

In the recent review period from April 2009 to March 2010, SOS says it handled almost 40,000 calls between April last year and March this year.

Three quarters of the calls were crisis-related.

Men aged 20-29, who called in to the SOS hotline, often spoke of their difficulties and anxieties in coping with stress in their life.

Female callers, aged 50 and above expressed their feelings of loneliness and relationship issues.

Some of the problems shared by the youths who called in include identity and crisis-related issues.

They also expressed concerns relating to studies and exams, and spoke about relationship problems with parents, school friends, and boy-girl relationship.

SOS will be organising a two-day conference in September as part of the annual suicide awareness week.

One focus is suicide prevention amongst the youths.

There will also be a panel discussion on the approach the community should take towards suicide prevention.

- CNA/jm

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http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_558319.html


Jul 27, 2010
Suicides up among young
By Fiona Low
In the latest statistics released on Monday by the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), the rate of suicide went up from 8.76 per 100,000 residents in 2008 to 9.35 last year as Singapore battled its worst recession. -- ST PHOTO: DOMINIC WONG

SUICIDES rose in Singapore last year as the economy went into a recession. A total of 401 people took their own lives, up from 364 in 2008.

In the latest statistics released on Monday by the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), a helpline dedicated to suicide prevention, the rate of suicide went up from 8.76 per 100,000 residents in 2008 to 9.35 last year as Singapore battled its worst recession.

While suicide rates have been known to rise during bad times, the SOS statistics are showing more worryingly, that suicide rates among youths are on the rise as well.

The total number of suicides among those aged 10 to 19 years reached a six-year high in 2009, with 19 youths taking their own lives. This is a stark 58 per cent jump from a year earlier when 12 suicide cases among youths were reported.

Based on statistics from 1991 to now, there has been three clear peaks in suicide rates among youths in Singapore, occuring in 1998, 2001 and 2009, all of which coincided with the economic instability.

During the Asian financial crisis in 1998, youth suicides jumped from 22 deaths from 14 the year before. Similarly, youth suicides hit a record 27 deaths in 2001 during the economic downturn.

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Singapore is also a suicide hub.