A local NGO reported that suicides in Singapore surged over 26 percent last year to their highest level in more than two decades, indicating the city-state’s unseen mental distress.
In an annual press release, the prevention centre Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) stated, “The suicide rates among young people aged 10-29 and elderly people aged 70-79 were particularly concerning”.
“A total of 476 individuals killed themselves in 2022, the highest number of recorded suicide deaths since 2000″, up from 378 the year before”, the SOS release reads.
“Seeing the unprecedented rise in suicide numbers in Singapore is profoundly heartbreaking”, said prominent psychiatrist and mental health expert Jared Ng.
Jared Ng further said, “This increase paints a picture of the unseen mental distress permeating our society, especially amongst our youths and the elderly”.
“It is crucial that we remain vigilant to the pressing issues that continue to heavily impact mental health, such as social isolation and loneliness”, Jared Ng added.
“Suicide remained the leading cause of death for youths aged 10-29 for the fourth consecutive year, accounting for 33.6 percent of all deaths in that age range”, the release continued.
In 2022, 125 people in the age group committed suicide, an increase of 11.6 percent from 112 the previous year.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is the fourth highest cause of mortality among those aged 15-29 worldwide.
According to SOS, the number of people aged 70-79 who committed suicide in Singapore increased by 60 percent last year to 48, up from 30 in 2021.
The city-state, which has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world, is quickly aging, with one in every four Singaporeans expected to be 65 or older by 2030, up from one in every six three years ago.
The chief executive of SOS, Gasper Tan said, “Suicide was a complex issue influenced by various factors, including mental health challenges, social pressures, and economic uncertainties”.
“We recognize the gravity of the situation, and are committed to continuing to take proactive steps to address the rising suicide rates and provide assistance to those in need”, Tan added.
According to WHO, more than 700,000 people worldwide commit suicide each year.
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