Health Ministry backs push to decriminalise suicide
The Health Ministry is backing the push to decriminalise suicide, says Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
At present, anyone who attempts to commit suicide and act towards doing it faces criminal prosecution under Section 309 of the Penal Code, where they can be punished with a jail term of up to one year or they can be fined, or both.
"Decriminalising suicidal acts would help shift the efforts to preventing suicide in Malaysia.
"It would encourage...
The Health Ministry is backing the push to decriminalise suicide, says Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
At present, anyone who attempts to commit suicide and act towards doing it faces criminal prosecution under Section 309 of the Penal Code, where they can be punished with a jail term of up to one year or they can be fined, or both.
"Decriminalising suicidal acts would help shift the efforts to preventing suicide in Malaysia.
"It would encourage those who are affected (wanting to commit suicide) to come forward and get help as quick as possible," Noor Hisham (above) said in a statement today.
The statement came in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day, which falls on Sept 10 every year.
According to Noor Hisham, police statistics showed that there were 638 suicide cases reported in the country between January and July this year, which is a 143 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
For the whole of 2020, authorities recorded 631 suicide cases, also an increase from 609 in 2019.
He said the Covid-19 pandemic situation has had a big impact on individual mental health and he urged the people to play their role in preventing suicide.
Among the things they can do include checking on the well-being of the people around them, especially those affected by the pandemic, providing support to those affected to get help and treatment and avoiding sharing news or photos about suicide on social media.
"Social factors which can induce overwhelming stress, such as loss of job and being isolated from family and friends, can also impact some who are at a high risk of mental health issues, including causing depression.
"If this depression is not identified and treated, then it creates the risk of suicidal behaviour," Noor Hisham said.
Meanwhile, on the same note, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today posted a short video addressing those who are battling depression, telling them that they are not alone.
Khairy said there are services ready to assist them, and expressed his hope that they will pull through their tough times.
"In conjunction with the World Suicide Prevention Day, I want to reach out to people who are battling with depression and anxiety, that you're not alone.
"Please don't think that even in your darkest moments that you are alone.
"Help is available, we're here for you. I've put here the numbers (for Talian Kasih and Befrienders) that you can call, services that you can access.
"And I hope that you pull through this and we are here for you."
If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, or know someone who is, please call the following hotlines:
Talian Kasih
Hotline: 15999
The Befrienders
Hotline: 03-76272929
Agape Counselling Centre Malaysia
Hotline: 03-77855955 or 03-77810800
Life Line Association Malaysia
Hotline: 03-42657995
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