In support of plan to decriminalise suicide attempts

NEWS that our government is studying ways to decriminalise suicide attempts in a bid to address a rise in such cases nationwide are indeed welcomed. Our National Health and Morbidity Study (2017) found that those planning to commit suicide rose to 7.3% in 2017 compared with 6.4% in 2012.

The study also revealed a rising trend in suicide among youths aged 13 to 17 – about 10% in 2017 had suicidal thoughts compared with 7.9% in 2012. These data mirror the World Health Organisation’s finding that suicide is among the 10 top causes of death globally.

Suicide attempts must not be viewed as a criminal issue but as a health matter, and a preventive one at that. We need to urgently wind back our colonial era law to help destigmatise suicide attempts.

Note that in countries, including

Singapore, Hong Kong, India and Indonesia, suicide attempts have been decriminalised.

Suicide attempts arise from various factors including mental health disorders, family problems such as the loss of a loved one, failed relationships and financial difficulty.

In our hectic daily life, it would help if friends or colleagues, and even strangers, show concern and be kind to those experiencing emotional problems. Research shows that prosecuting people for attempting suicide does not reduce the suicide rate. But research has also found that decriminalising suicide attempts does not increase suicides. Remember that our society is judged by the way we treat our most vulnerable.