KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian authorities are investigating the case of a

16-year-old girl who is believed to have killed herself after putting up a

poll on Instagram on whether she should die.

The incident has also highlighted the issue of mental health problems,
particularly among the young, in the country.

"It is a very serious matter where social media is used in a manner that
can endanger the lives of certain people. It could amount to an offence,"
Minister of Communications and Multimedia Gobind Singh Deo told
reporters on Wednesday (May 15).

The government may also look at changing the Communications and

Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 to address cyberbullying and online
suicides, he said.

"Having said that, I think at the same time, we also want to look at how
the CMA Act could perhaps be tweaked to deal with problems like this,"
he added.

The death of the teenager is currently under police investigation with the
Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission saying that it is
a criminal offence to encourage or assist in the suicide of a minor.

The girl, who was from Batu Kawah, in eastern Sarawak state, leapt to
her death from a building on Tuesday after asking her followers on
Instagram earlier in the day if she should choose life or death.

She uploaded a post with the heading "Really Important, Help Me

Choose D/L" on Instagram Stories. D and L were said to have stood for
the words "die" and "live".

A total of 69 per cent of those polled chose "D".

The teen was said to have been emotionally upset after her stepfather,
with whom she had a close relationship, married another woman.

Padawan district police chief Aidil Bolhassan said the girl had also
uploaded a Facebook status saying: "Wanna quit f*****g life i'm tired."
Superintendent Aidil said the teenager was close to her stepfather but
was affected after he rarely returned to her home following his new
marriage.

The incident showed the lack of awareness of mental health issues in the
country, said Malaysian Psychiatric Association patron Tan Sri Lee Lam
Thye.

"The government must train more counsellors and psychologists to help

those suffering from depression and other mental problems," he said.

He said there was a need for a holistic public health approach to address
the factors contributing to poor mental health, adding that the Health,
Education and Youth and Sports Ministries must collaborate on this.

"The relevant agencies must also develop an alert system to enable

people to notify concerned parties of suicidal postings on social media,"
he said.

More and more cases of Malaysian children and youths with mental
health problems, which may stem from increased pressure in school and
fears about the future, have emerged. This has also appeared to coincide
with the rise in cyberbullying, in tandem with the prevalent use of social
media. Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and panic
attacks are increasingly being reported among students in schools.

A Ministry of Health survey in 2017 found depression, anxiety and stress

were prevalent among 18.3 per cent, 39.7 per cent and 9.6 per cent
respectively in school-going adolescents aged 13-17 years old. The same
survey also showed prevalence of suicidal thoughts was 10.0 per cent, an
increase from 7.9 per cent in 2012.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has outlined several possible risk

factors for the young, including stressful life events, harsh parenting
styles, family conflicts, poor psychosocial support, poor socio-economic
background and high risk behaviour such as substance abuse. .

The chances of treatment are also poor in Malaysia because of a severe

shortage of psychiatrists. The Health Ministry reports that there are
currently 309 psychiatrists nationwide. Only 30 are child and adolescent
specialists.

While the ratio of psychiatrists recommended by the World Health

Organisation is 1:10,000, in Malaysia the ratio is 1:200,000.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said: "I am
genuinely worried about the state of our youth's mental health. It's a
national issue which must be taken seriously."

He said he would start an open dialogue as part of efforts to address the

issue.

Six out of ten Malaysian youths have mental health issues, he said, and a
majority of suicide victims are young.

He also lamented that most Malaysians brushed off mental health issues
as "fake."

Source : https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-teen-who-reportedly-jumped-to-death-
after-instagram-poll-sparks-calls-for
 Unreported suicide bids on the rise
 NATION
 Saturday, 27 Jul 2019
By ALEX TENG and LIEW JIA XIAN

image: https://media.thestar.com.my/Prod/114D0C30-2F26-4ED4-B382-
E733CA6C041B

Seeking help: Firemen talking to a person against taking his life on the Penang Bridge. Those seeking
help are encouraged to get in touch with the various helplines including Sneham Malaysia or
Befrienders.

GEORGE TOWN: Unreported suicide attempts along the two Penang Bridges are on
the rise with the total number easily eclipsing the official statistics.

Criminologist and Universiti Sains Malaysia security director Assoc Prof Datuk Dr P.
Sundramoorthy said some of these cases went unreported because they are
considered a crime.
“It is also a negative social stigma and the embarrassment affecting these victims and
their families.

“If a report is made, the victim has to go through psychiatric evaluation,” he said
yesterday.

Penang police chief Comm Datuk T. Narenasagaran said attempted suicide cases are
classified as criminal offences under Section 309 of Penal Code.

According to police statistics, three suicide attempts were recorded from January to
June this year on the Penang Bridge, as compared to just one each for the whole of
2017 and last year.

As for the second Penang Bridge, there was one case recorded so far this year, as
compared to two cases last year.

Until June this year, the statistics also showed that one person had committed suicide
on the Penang Bridge, as compared to three each in 2017 and last year.

On the second Penang Bridge, there were two suicide cases reported so far this year,
as compared to two in 2017 and three last year.

In short, there were already three suicides cases on the two bridges for the first six
months of this year, as compared to a total of five in 2017 and six in 2018.

Tow truck service runner Tan Chin Leong, 44, who is tasked to help remove the
vehicles left by accidents or suicide victims, along the North-South Expressway and the
Penang Bridge, claimed that this year alone, there had been 11 attempted suicide
cases on the Penang Bridge that were not reported.

“Most cases are not reported because the victims were rescued by fishermen, or
prevented from jumping by rescuers,” he said.

The latest suicide attempt along the Penang Bridge was in February when a 22-year-old
woman was rescued by fishermen after she fell into the sea.

There was also another incident where a man, clad in a suit and went live on social
media to record his suicide attempt.
He was, however, rescued by the marine police.

Even one suicide is considered one too many, said Prof Sundramoorthy.

“Suicide and attempted suicide actually can be prevented with the right type of
intervention.

“Some of these victims will try to reach out for help but others do not show any
symptoms or signs at all.

“Those who reach out for help from professionals or their families and friends are
usually pointing out their problems and showing signs of their suicidal thoughts.

“It is easier to intervene and assist them more effectively.

“But those who do not show any signs, it is harder to reach out to them,” he said.

Prof Sundramoorthy added that several social factors such as the level of bonding and
attachment of people towards their circle of friends could lead to the intention to commit
suicide.

“When the level of attachment and bonding is weak among family and friends, a person
will feel alienated and rejected, hence suicidal thoughts will prevail.

“The victims will feel that they are not fulfilling the expectations of others,” he said.

Prof Sundramoorthy also said social factors such as socioeconomic status,

unemployment, financial matters, marital problems and issues at work place, played a
vital role in this matter.

“Excessive controlling by family members on the dos and don’ts can also create suicidal
thoughts in a person,” he said.

Prof Sundramoorthy said when a person is unable to manage stress and does not reach
out for help, he or she would be easily affected, both mentally and emotionally.

“Counselling services should be made accessible at schools, colleges, workplaces,

clinics and hospitals.
“Information should also be shared through social media on how to seek appointment
with counsellors,” he said.

A psychologist in Penang, who wanted to be known only as Dr Chooi, said mental

health issues are serious and have put a dent to the country’s aspiration to become a
developed nation.

“The public should be educated about various issues surrounding mental health.

“Not talking about the problem will not solve it,” she said.

Dr Chooi added that some people might opt to take a shortcut as a solution, which could
be detrimental to themselves and the people around them.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre Psychiatry Department Associate Prof

and consultant psychiatrist Dr Chan Lai Fong said mental health services are available
at most hospitals in the country.

“Those who need a listening ear for emotional support can also reach out to non-
governmental organisations that offer various helplines including Sneham Malaysia,
which is the first Tamil language based hotline for suicide prevention.

“They operate from 4pm to 8pm daily at 1800-22-5757.

“It is also available in Malay and English.

“For Mandarin speakers, if you need an ear, just call the Life Line Association
Malaysia’s hotline at 03-4265 7995,” she said.

Those in trouble or in need of someone to talk to, they can call the Befrienders KL at 03-
7956 8145, 04-281 5161/ 1108 in Penang, 05-547 7933/ 7955 in Ipoh or
email sam@befrienders.org.my

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/07/27/unreported-suicide-

bids-on-the-rise#Q4LiDma7SBKfw7ic.99
Source : https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/07/27/unreported-suicide-bids-on-the-rise