A shadow looms over Malaysian society as the country has seen an increase in the number of suicide cases in recent years, especially among children and teenagers.
Mental health experts emphasise the importance of recognising warning signs in children who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts.
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Mental health experts emphasise the importance of recognising warning signs in children who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts.
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NewsTranscript
00:00A shadow looms over Malaysian society as the country has seen an increase in the number
00:07of suicide cases in recent years.
00:10The numbers rose from 609 in 2017 to 1,087 in 2023.
00:17This problem, particularly among children and teenagers, is likened to a silent epidemic
00:22and it calls for urgent awareness and intervention.
00:26Mental health experts emphasise the importance of recognising warning signs in children who
00:31might be struggling with suicidal thoughts.
00:34Sometimes we can observe the kids, because they can't really express well, they suddenly
00:40start withdrawing.
00:41Things that they used to like, they will stop doing it.
00:45Food that they like, they suddenly have no interest.
00:48So they ask signs, they won't tell you, Mummy, I feel like killing myself.
00:53But it's true, the little ones, they don't do activities, their favourite show, they
00:58don't watch, they just hide in the room.
01:01So parents need to be equipped to see all these things as well.
01:06And sometimes what people may not want to acknowledge is that there may be a family
01:11history of mental illness as well, a strong family history of mental illness.
01:16That doesn't automatically mean that the child is going to have an illness, but the risks
01:20are heavier.
01:23What more if there is a history of suicide in the family?
01:27Now that is also a risk.
01:30Kota Tinggi OCPD Superintendent Yusuf Othman said Jelambai's remains were sent to Kota
01:35Tinggi Hospital for an autopsy.
01:38The case is being investigated under Section 41, Subsection 1 of the Road Transport Act
01:431987.
01:46He also reminded road users to exercise caution, especially on wet roads, and to adhere to
01:52traffic regulations to prevent accidents.
01:56The first step is to provide some privacy, to ensure that the place is something that
02:01is respectful to the person and not having people pass by, walking and listening to the
02:06conversation.
02:07And secondly, also to ensure that the place is safe.
02:11It is away from any form of lethal means of acting in a spontaneous manner that may result
02:20in fatality.
02:21First thing is, be empathetic, listen, be kind, let them express their emotions.
02:27Then after that, don't deny it.
02:31So once you empathise, you agree, that person will know, okay, someone agrees with me.
02:37Then there's that connection already.
02:39From there, you can start asking, how can I help you?
02:42I would normally start by asking, why would you say so?
02:46So you ask them why first, because it's really not up to us to say yes or no.
02:51But of course, definitely we don't want them to do it, and we'll try to stop it.
02:57But you want to acknowledge them first, understand them firstly.
03:01They said addressing these complex issues faced by young people requires a collaborative
03:06effort, not only from parents, but also from all sectors of society, including schools,
03:12community organisations and government agencies.
03:15By fostering understanding and compassion, tragedies can be prevented and mental well-being
03:20can be promoted.