| James Kon |
MINISTER of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar yesterday emphasised on the importance of people-to-people communications in helping individuals with mental health issues overcome their problems.
He also urged family members and friends to pay attention to the behaviours of their loved ones and take notice of anything out of the ordinary.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham was speaking to local media on the rise in suicide and attempted suicide cases in the country yesterday morning, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Car Free Day held at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
“Suicide unfortunately is on the rise and we are working with the mental health services to help in any way we can. What I’m saying to those who have problems is – we are here, please come to see us and we are here to listen,” he added.
The minister highlighted that the Ministry of Health is currently in the process of formulating a 24-hour helpline for suicide or mental health issues. He said once the helpline is set up, roadshows will be conducted nationwide.
In terms of mental health issues, the minister explained, “Most people with mental health issues feel that they are left alone with no one to talk to or care for them. I can assure you that we are here to help you.
“Health is everyone’s business, therefore for friends and family who see family members or friends not in their usual behaviour – please ask how they are and whether there is anything wrong. This little gesture can help in showing that they are cared for,” Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham added.
“Don’t be too busy playing on the mobile phones. We must revert back to people-to-people communication. It takes a whole-nation approach to help the affected individuals and reduce the incidents of suicide in the country.”
According to statistics from the Royal Brunei Police Force on Saturday, 46 suicide cases were recorded in the country from 2014 to August 2018 – six of these were in 2014, eight in 2015, eight cases in 2016, 13 cases in 2017, while 11 cases were reported from January to August this year.
Most staggering is the 2017 figure, which is an increase of 62.5 per cent in suicides from the total cases from each of the prior two years.
Of the 46 suicide cases, 31 victims are foreigners – nine are Philippine nationals, eight Bangladeshis, seven Indian nationals, two Thais, four Indonesian nationals, and one Chinese national. There were also 43 cases of attempted suicide from 2014 to August 2018 – five cases in 2014, 11 in 2015, 11 in 2016, nine cases in 2017, and seven cases from January to August 2018.