KUCHING: The National Council of Befrienders Malaysia (NCOBM) is worried by the rising suicide cases in the country.
Its president Esther Teo said perhaps Malaysians should pay more attention to their neighbours and see that they are not “silent sufferers”.
“Be more concerned and pay attention to those who may be suffering in silence because these people have the tendency to commit suicide,” she said during the Befrienders Kuching 1st anniversary dinner themed ‘Life is Precious, You Are Not Alone’, at Imperial Hotel, Saturday evening.
“Those suffering in silence feel very painful…in great pain. Reach out to them before they commit the ultimate act of ending their life,” she said.
Noting that the World Health Organisation (WHO) registered nearly 800,000 suicide deaths every year, she urged suicide prevention support groups, in particular the Befrienders, to continue spreading awareness on mental health.
Teo said that since its establishment worldwide, the Befrienders has been providing emotional support through its helpline, and hoped more volunteers would join the Kuching chapter.
“To those out there who feel in despair, depressed, Befrienders is here to provide support.
“You are not alone in this battle. We care, we listen, we are here to help one another,” she said. On Befrienders Kuching’s first anniversary, Teo congratulated the members for their dedication.
“Befrienders Kuching is the youngest centre, you have a very active team. It is not an easy task, but you have made it.
“So, continue to keep up the good work and help each other and reach out to those who need help,” she stressed.
Also present were Befrienders Kuching president Dr Rosliwati Md Yusoff, vice-president Dr Bernard Ting, and founder and secretary Kelly Lee.
Those feeling distressed or suicidal can always contact Befrienders Kuching hotline at 082-242800 from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, or the other eight centres across Malaysia. They can also be reached by email at sam@befrienderskch.org.my.
