ASSOCIATE
Professor Chong Siow Ann revealed some factors that push people to take their
own lives ("Time to reconsider suicide law"; last Saturday).
People who are
struggling with depression or other types of mental illness are prone to
suicide because they often cannot bear the isolation and suffering. Those who
are highly stressed or suicidal often think there is no way out, and this is
compounded when their cries for help go unheeded.
Singapore's
suicide rate has gone up by nearly 30 per cent; 467 cases were recorded in 2012
("Suicide cases rise nearly 30% to hit 20-year high"; July 13, 2013).
Foreign workers
who leave behind their families to work here and family members of foreigners,
who have difficulty adjusting to life here, are among those who have attempted
suicide.
We must help
make foreigners feel welcome by organising activities to help them integrate
into our society.
Developed
countries like Britain have decriminalised suicide so that those who survive
will not be prosecuted. Singapore should take this route.
Patients who
seek help for their suicidal tendencies need more than medication and
counselling.
To this end, I
propose that a one-stop centre be set up so people can get the help they may
not know even exists. This centre should make it convenient for the person and
his family to secure temporary financial assistance, job opportunities and free
counselling services.
Raymond Anthony
Fernando
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/set-one-stop-centre-those-suicidal-tendencies-20140228
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