Suicides can be prevented - we all need to work together

NMP recalls her own time of despair and calls for a national suicide prevention strategy

Anthea Ong For The Straits Times
Suicide is preventable, says the writer. Studies show that 50 per cent to 60 per cent of all persons who died by suicide gave some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member.
Suicide is preventable, says the writer. Studies show that 50 per cent to 60 per cent of all persons who died by suicide gave some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Updated
Published
January 31, 2020 at 5:00 AM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

It was the last Saturday of 2019.

I was sitting by the Singapore literature section of Marine Parade Library, shedding more than a few tears, after two hours of chat with a suicide-bereaved mother. I recalled her comment: "Forever 17" - the words of a heartbroken and guilt-stricken mother of a child gone too soon. Anxiety from school turned to severe depression and took a bright young star from us.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 31, 2020, with the headline Suicides can be prevented - we all need to work together. Subscribe

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 076/10/2022, MCI (P) 077/10/2022. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top