Leong Sze Hian / Columnist
In a written reply in Parliament on 26 August, by the Minister of Education, Dr Ng Eng Hen, to a question by MP Cynthia Phua, the incidence of suicide among youths (rate of youth suicide per 100,000), was 4.9 in 2006 and 6.7 in 2007. This is an increase of 37 per cent. (link)
The number (age between 10 and 24) who committed suicide increased by 36 per cent from 36 in 2006 to 49 in 2007.
According to media reports, 374 people killed themselves last year, but for every death, there were seven failed bids ; 706 were arrested for attempted suicide, about half of the estimated 10,400 walk-in patient cases at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) have thought about dying, about 4,380 who called the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) were high-risk suicide cases, and 87 suicides were aged 65 and above – an increase of 26 per cent over the previous year (“Special report : suicide attempts – when all hopes is lost”, ST, Aug 10).
The incidence of elderly suicide is double that of the general population, having crept above 20 per 100,000 people over 65 years old from a low of 17.3 in 2002 (“Depressed and alone : The old need help”, ST, Aug 11).
Looking at the above statistics, does it mean that about 280 per 100,000 residents (10,000 divided by 3.6 million resident population) contemplate suicide in a year ?
How many are youths and what are the causes?
I think one of the reasons why suicides are un-reported, is because family members may be reluctant to do so as the suicide attemptors may be arrested, and may also be charged in court and sent to jail, as suicide is a crime under Section 309 the Penal Code.
Are there any other countries in the world that make suicide a crime ?
I would like to suggest that Section 309 be reviewed, as it may be the cause of under-reporting of the suicidal statistics – which may lead to under-treatment and help for these Singaporeans.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the suicide rate per 100,000 was 6.8 for the United Kingdom, and 7.9 for Thailand. Singapore‘s rate was 10.3.
To what extent, has our education system, employment and financial problems, contributed to the above suicide statistics ? For youths, perhaps the Ministry of Education could provide statistics on successful suicides and attempted suicides.
———–
Wa!!! If die already liao, then must be handcuffed in the coffin & bring to court????
Either the very young or the very old are at risk of committing suicide. Don’t live pass 60 years old!!
26 Aug has passed for quite some time, and instead of stopping at pure statistics, I would have expected (like what the columnist said) the extent of suicide statistics to be accompanied by the various factors. Either that, or I would have expected a declaration (on 26 Aug) that such investigations are next steps being worked on and a timeframe when they will be available.
I am trying hard not to draw a conclusion that the public is more interested in affairs of ordinary citizens (given this sharp increase) compared to the government (as a whole).
i think it is also fair to include our healthcare system as one of the causes especially those in the higher age group bracket who either is already part of the suicide stats or have contemplated it at some point in time.
Is this why there is a need to introduce the ‘right-to-die’ plan where you can make the option to die in certain eventualities especially in regards to your deterorating health?
As for the young, whatever the reasons, it all boils down to one thing – PRESSURE! And we can compliment the pap for this by the numerous initiatives, from education to employment, where our young ones are pressured to fit into.
The youth are born to a different singapore than their grandfathers and fathers.
It was harsh living conditions in the 40s to the late 60s.
The youths of today have not experienced tough times.
I wonder are our youths of today:
1. Able to tell what is brainwashing ? eg. brainwashing from bad MLM companies (good ones exist but rare)
2. Able to live in the jungle without food given and nanny by the side?
3. Able to care for the less fortunate and help voice up for the weak, naive and innocent ?
4. Able to know the difference between singapore and any other 1st world democracies?
5. Able to survive without facial cream and anti-zits creams, especially the males and metro sexuals ?
6. Able to survive under hot and humid conditions without someone fanning for them or turning on the air-con?
7. Able to survive without Mc Donalds, PS2, GI Joe, Ninja Turtles?
I hope they can. sigh…
The youth are born to a different singapore than their grandfathers and fathers.
let’s be fair to the young and not dash their hopes even before they are able to tell right from wrong (if i can put it this way).
indeed, our older generations were born into harsh conditions and these were mostly physically demanding. also, It took a lot of courage for the blind to follow the blind because when we separated from Malaysia it was a ‘blind’ LKY – as he had admitted himself – that required the support of a new and blind group of citizens in the then new Singapore, our forefathers.
the younger generation of today is no different. they are blind in the sense that they have been deceived into believing that the good life the pap keeps promising is there for the taking. they work hard to achieve that goal – the pap’s promised land.
they will realised at some point in time that this is not attainable as the distance to that dream continues to lenghten no matter how hard they try to reach it. i believe too that when that day comes, the policies and lies that this govt has put in place will come back to haunt them.
because if this generation of young people were to turn against the pap, it will be a group that will not be lacking in intelligence (and power too) in steering Singapore back in the right direction.
struggles for freedom of this kind will always take time, support and belief.
I Believe.
Well I think the education system is partly at fault. It is too rigid and stressful. The youth might not be able to cope with the stress and therefore decide to end their own life.
Moreover, there isn’t much of a choice in Singapore in that most students have to go through the same education system that might not be of their interest or innate talent. This might led to disillusion and again might cause problems such as suicide.
Lastly, other countries have full-time and recognize schools that focus on teaching youth talented in the fields of music, the arts and other subjects . Are there such schools in Singapore ?
7. Able to survive without Mc Donalds, PS2, GI Joe, Ninja Turtles?
Only need broadband.
i stand with the writer’s point of the revision of suicide law. victims would more likely to seek help from external sources.
gemami (#4)
“Is this why there is a need to introduce the ‘right-to-die’ plan where you can make the option to die in certain eventualities especially in regards to your deterorating health?”
i am for euthansia , but it has serious social (‘killing’ of coma relatives for insurance claims, taking the ‘easy’ way of ending life, etc..) and religious (only god can take away one’s life) implication. independent body has to be set up to look into these implications, before any law of such kind can be put into place.
Recent 21% tariff hike has also increased the stress of people. Just noticed that Singaporeans are going online petition to express their stress to the government. Please sign up the petition at the following link if you are stressful with the ridiculous hike.
http://www.petitiononline.com/sptariff/petition.html
About the Youths of today :
A. Can youths compete with FTs ? Why so much more FTs needed after so many many years that FTs have come in and occupied jobs made in singapore? Is it fair to say about 1 million foreigners have come here for work and gotten them?
B. How much more than the current working adults do the Youths of today need to save into their CPF before they can qualify to retire financially? Does anyone even have any idea in a sure and absolutely confident way ? How much to be stored in the CPF for long term?
C. Do they understand that Social Issues Affect them Directly ? Or are they OBLIVIOUS ? Do they even understand the real meaning of Transparency ?
D. Do they understand about MEDIA and its influence on the mentality of humanoids?
E. Do they understand the concept that humans are basically all the same but its the environment in which they grow up that differentiates their mentality , which can be influenced ? Do they understand why Singapore is so Unique compared to any other democratic country? Do they even know what this sentence mean?
F. Do they understand the complexity of this world? That sometimes what you see and hear is more than meets the eyes?
G. Do that admit that being absolutely silent, it can mislead other bombastic people that they ACCEPT ?
I have totally no idea. U know the answers ?
Youth Got Future? (#11)
A: I know and seen a lot of youth today that absolutely abhor FTs. There was 1 time when I was on the train back from SGH, there was a bunch of secondary school students that was criticizing the amount of FTs in Singapore. The conversation between the students were super loud and contain use of offensive language though.
C: I’m currently studying in a polytechnic and yes, the youth does know that social issues affect them.However, the PAP have instilled the “what can we do?” attitude in most of them and results in them just accepting rather than go against it.
11) Youth Got Future?
I know the answer . . . and the answer is very simple . . . “You and I”.
‘You and I’ refers to the 34% of our electorate who did not agree with the way things are being run in Singapore. I would also like to believe that at this moment, this percentage has increased by 10,000 headcounts.
It is time parents, teachers, you and I get off out butts and go get involve in some ‘outreach’ programs to educate the young and to get them to see things from different angles. If there isn’t one, then go and reach out as an individual, on your own. We have a responsibility as citizens who share this same ground to help the young to be politically aware of what’s going on around us.
It is a long process and some of will definitely get tired and might even give up hope along the way but we will do well to keep our focus and realise that this will take time – at least one whole generation before we can see results.
For our children’s sake, we must persevere.
Even MP also drop dead. our life is so stressful…… looking forward to more MP dropping dead than can have election…..
stress !!