Befrienders JB a lifeline for ‘active risk’ callers

JOHOR BARU: About 12% of calls received by Befrienders Johor Baru over the past few months came from those who have suicidal thoughts.

Its president Danny Loo said that such calls were categorised as “active risk”, which means that the person on the line was at risk of committing the act.

“We have been receiving an average of about 80 such calls between July to September,” he said when contacted.

Overall, he said that there had been about 700 calls made to Befrienders Johor Baru during that three-month period.

Befrienders Johor Baru, he said, had been carrying out more community engagement activities online to highlight issues on mental health.

“Previously, we were able to conduct such activities physically but we have since moved it online due to restrictions under the recovery MCO.

“There has been an increase of awareness when it comes to mental health.

“People are more aware that they could reach out to Befrienders when in distress but we still need to continue reaching out to more people,” he said.

Those facing emotional and psychological distress can call Befrienders Johor Baru at 07-331 2300, Muar at 06-952 0313, Melaka at 06-2842 500/700 and Seremban Befrienders at 06-6321 772/3.