One million people worldwide die by suicide each year

One million people die by suicide each year and this number works out to one death in every forty seconds, said World Suicide Prevention Day forum organising chairperson Esther Teo.

Esther, who quoted the statistic provided by World Health Organisation also said that suicide is a major public health problem in high-income countries and is an emerging problem in low and middle-income countries.

“The number of lives lost each year through suicide exceeds the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined,” said Esther during a press conference organized by Befrienders Johor Bahru.

Befrienders Johor Bahru has set September 7, 2013 as the date for their Suicide Prevention Day forum and booth exhibition. The theme for this event, which is also in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day is ‘Stigma: A major barrier to Suicide Prevention’.

Befrienders Johor Bahru president Siew May Fong referring to the theme said that the stigma could be due to ignorance, prejudice, taking things for granted, lack of interest and discrimination.

Some 250 people are expected to turn up for this forum and booth exhibition at Hospital Permai, Johor Bahru.

The objectives of this event is to increase public awareness regarding suicide, to involve the public in suicide prevention and to explain the need to de-sensationalize suicides.

The forum will be held with a 3 person panel; the director of Hospital Permai Dr Abdul Kadir Abu Bakar, Director, National Council of Befrienders Malaysia vice president Esther Teo and a representative from Bukit Aman police department.

Other exhibitors include Hospital Permai, Johor Bahru, Johor Police Department (4 booths — Crime, Commercial, Narcotics and Rakan Cop), Johor Women’s League (JEWEL), Johor Bahru Alzheimer Disease Association (JOBADA), National Stroke Association of Malaysia (NASAM), Johor, Breast Cancer Support Group (BCSG), Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru Happy & Joyous Club, Intan LifeZone, Toastmasters International, Division A and Befrienders Johor Bahru

The Befrienders Society, Johor Bahru is a non-profit community service organization.  They are multi-racial, non-religious and their service is available to everyone, from all walks of life, race, religion, age and gender.

The Befrienders offer free and confidential emotional support to callers through befriending daily from 4.00pm to 12 midnights at 07-3312300.

For more information, please contact Befrienders Society, Johor Bahru Organising chairperson Esther Teo at 016-7733805