Suicides Hit All-Time High in Singapore in 2012

Suicides Hit All-Time High in Singapore in 2012

Suicides in Singapore hit an all-time high of 487 in 2012 as more young people bogged down by stress and relationship woes took their own lives. The tally, a 29 percent increase from the 2011 total, was boosted by an 80 percent rise in the 20 to 29 age bracket, according to the charity group, the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS).

"Common problems presented by this group of people involved stressful life events and interpersonal relationship issues," said SOS, which aims to prevent suicides by providing emotional support through private counseling and a 24-hour telephone hotline. "These include unemployment, stress with studies or work, financial worries, family life, struggles with social interactions, and feelings of loneliness."

Christine Wong, executive director of SOS, said young people under stress tend to hide their pain because they don't know how or who to approach for help. "People around them may not be aware of their distress and are hence unable to provide the support needed," Wong said. She added that the community should play an important role in destigmatizing suicide by encouraging those under stress to talk about their struggles and suicidal feelings.

The World Health Organization said one million people around the world commit suicide every year, accounting for more deaths than wars and murders put together. The number of suicide attempts is five times higher, with five percent of the people in the world having tried to kill themselves at least once during their lifetime.

 

新加坡 2012 年自杀人数创历史新高

新加坡在 2012 年的自杀人数创下了历史新高的四百八十七人，愈来愈多的年轻人因压力及感情困扰，因此走上自杀一途。根据慈善团体新加坡援人协会表示，这个数字比 2011 年整年的自杀人数增加了百分之二十九，因为二十到二十九岁这个年龄层的自杀人数增加了百分之八十。

新加坡援人协会表示：『这个年龄层所表现出来的普遍问题包括了生活上的压力和人际关系方面的问题。』该协会的目标就是透过私人辅导和全天候的电话热线来提供心理上的支援，藉此来防止自杀事件的发生。『这些问题包括了失业、学业或工作上的压力、担心经济问题、家庭生活、社交互动上的困难以及孤独感。』

新加坡援人协会执行董事黄丽娟表示，处在压力之下的年轻人往往会把痛苦藏在心里，因为他们不知道要如何求助，或是要找谁求助。她表示：『身边的人可能没有意识到这些年轻人的苦恼，因此无法提供他们所需的支持。』她还补充说明，社会在为自杀去污名化方面应该要扮演很重要的角色，鼓励那些处在压力之下的人说出他们的困难和想自杀的念头。

世界卫生组织表示，全世界每年有一百万人自杀，占死亡总人数的比例比因战争和谋杀而死亡的人数加起来还来得高。自杀未遂的人数是过去的五倍之多，而全世界有百分之五的人在一生当中至少曾经自杀过一次。