As we are all aware, suicide is a major problem across the globe and unfortunately, the rates of suicide in Malaysia are also steadily increasing. Statistics from the World Health Organisation indicate that 800,000 people lose their lives to suicide each year. To put that into perspective, someone in the world will end his or her life through suicide every 40 seconds.

The vision of Befrienders KL is a world in which fewer people feel the need to end their own lives and our mission is to alleviate distress and help reduce the risk of suicide through emotional support and public education.

To commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept 10, we will be holding a public forum entitled ‘Preventing Suicide - Reaching Out and Saving Lives’ in conjunction with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry. This will be held on Saturday, Sept 19 from 8.30am - 12.30pm at UEM Learning Centre PJ, 5A, Jalan 51/217, Off Jalan Templer, 46050 PJ.

The forum will be opened by Lee Lam Thye and the welcoming address will be given by L Mary Raj, Befrienders KL chairperson. The speakers at the forum will be Professor Dr. Philip George who will be presenting on the topic ‘Depression is an Illness’, and Lee Kuan Shin who will be giving a talk on ‘Support for the Suicidal’.

Dr Philip George is a consultant psychiatrist and addiction specialist and is currently a professor at the Clinical School of the International Medical University. He is also an honorary consultant psychiatrist at Hospital Tuanku Jaafar and visiting consultant psychiatrist at Assunta Hospital. On top of this, he is also the medical director of ‘The Mind Faculty’ in Mont Kiara.

Dr Philip has had more than 30 publications in various journals and books. His areas of interest are prevention of substance abuse, managing stress and depression.

Lee Kuan Shin is a clinical psychologist and has a Masters of Art in Clinical Psychology. She works closely with children and families, particularly children with developmental disabilities and emotional difficulties. Lee was one of the panel of writers for ‘Growing Pains’ featured in the New Straits Times and her articles on children’s developmental issues have been featured in several local parenting magazines.

Apart from her work with children, Kuan Shin also provides psychotherapy to adults and couples with depression and trauma, as well as advising on stress management. Kuan Shin has a private practice at Pantai Hospital and also in Petaling Jaya.

Suicide is a complex and growing issue; there is an alarming increase in the number of students and youth in the prime of their life who die from suicide. Research studies have shown that social isolation can increase the risk of suicide but having strong human bonds, or connectedness, can help alleviate suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Hence the title of our forum this year - ‘Reaching out and Saving Lives’.

The Befrienders KL is a non-profit, voluntary organisation which provides 24 hour free and confidential emotional support for those who are suicidal, depressed or in despair. We have over 100 dedicated, trained volunteers and apart from the 24 hour telephone service, we also offer befriending via e-mail and can also arrange for face-to-face meetings by appointment.

In addition to this, we conduct workshops and seminars on suicide prevention awareness and life coping skills to schools, colleges, universities and many other voluntary bodies.

Last year we received over 20,000 contacts from people in crisis who just needed someone to share their pain with. At Befrienders KL, we pride ourselves on ‘being there’ for the person in crisis who feels they have no one else to turn to at that particular time.

In line with our mission of reducing the risk of suicide in our country, we participate actively as a committee member in both the National Suicide Prevention Technical Committee and the National Advisory Committee for the Promotion of Mental Health.