KUCHING: A significant number of Malaysian adolescents view suicide as an option towards solving their problems as they are unable to handle rejection.
This is the view expressed by Malaysian Psychiatric Association president Prof Dr Nor Zuraida Zainal, who said the problem is made worse by negative elements promoted in social media.
Dr Nor Zuraida, who is a consultant psychiatrist at University Malaya Medical Centre, said this was also evident at the hospital she is currently based in.
“Almost daily, there will be one or two cases of people wanting to commit suicide.
“Youngsters are delving more into attempted suicide because they believe that is the only way for them to get out of their problem.
“Adolescents nowadays are unable handle rejection. This is because some of them have the perception that life is like the internet, and that they can get everything they wish at the click of a button.
“They will feel distraught and stressed if they can’t get what they desire,” she told reporters after the opening ceremony of the 29th World Congress Of The International Association for Suicidal Prevention (IASP) at the Borneo Convention Centre, here today.
The congress, held in conjunction with the 21st Malaysian Conference on Psychological Medicine, was officiated by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Abang Openg.
Present were IASP president Ella Arensman, World Health Organisation’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse director Shekhar Saxena, and organising committee chairman for the congress, Prof. Dr T. Maniam.
Meanwhile, Saxena said although Malaysia recorded an average of 2,000 suicides annually, which is low compared to the global index, efforts must be intensified to reduce the cases.
“Malaysia has a very low suicide rate compared to the world’s average, which is one suicide every 40 seconds.
“It does not mean that you should stand idle and do nothing about it. Every suicide (case) is one too many,” he said.
He also praised Abang Johari, who had announced an increase of five per cent in allocation for the state Ministry of Community Well-being to carry out awareness campaign on suicidal prevent.