interviewed, [Daily Cuts - Suicides in Singapore rise to 22-year high - CNA (channelnewsasia.com)](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/listen/daily-cuts/suicides-singapore-rise-22-year-high-3603171)
Common reasons:
- Family-related problems - Employment/Financial - Romantic Relationships
- Loneliness, and social isolation, are faced by elders. (COVID-19)
- Stressors from school, but largely from family (compounded by many sources)
- Social Media use; social comparisons - Youth shared their being bullied online, helping them see "identity and esteem not pegged to social media platform".
- Possible signs of suicide :
- Speech (expressed that they are a burden to others), expression of the feeling of being trapped.
- Physical signs (giving away possessions), goodbye notes.
- Emotional outbursts - exhibit unusual expressions of emotions and risk-taking behaviour.
- How to help?
- Reaching out, asking how the person is doing helps.
- Ask Suicide Questions - Is there any suicide ideation? When asking these questions, it normalises and allows the speaker to talk about it.
- Increase help-giving - Train people to identify distressed people and refer them for help.
- 100-200 calls/day, 60-70 texts per day. Managed by trained listeners. Empathy is a huge part.
- Should society talk about suicide?
- Yes, so it normalises this and removes the stigma associated with this topic. We need to talk about this. We need to not just increase help-seeking but help-giving behaviour
- *Light in the Dark* programme
- Suicide survivor support programme