Up to 13 Malaysians commit suicide due to finance, family woes

At least 10 to 13 Malaysians in every 100,000, a majority of them youngsters, commit suicide every month beset by finance, marriage and family problems, a local Chinese daily said in Kuala Lumpur today.

At least 10 to 13 Malaysians in every 100,000, a majority of them youngsters, commit suicide every month beset by finance, marriage and family problems, a local Chinese daily said in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

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Counselling centres across the country received more than 60 calls every day from people contemplating suicide, according to 'Star' newspaper which quoted local Chinese daily China Press.

The large number reveals that many people are being subjected to problems related to finance, marriage and family, China Press said, adding that the latest statistics as showing that 10 to 13 in every 100,000 Malaysians commit suicide, with the majority being youngsters.

Clinical psychologist and counsellor Alex Ng Wei Siong told the daily that some people chose suicide as a way out of their problems while some became struck with mental illness.

Befrienders, a non-profit organisation offering emotional support through the phone, e-mail and letters to the depressed and those with suicidal tendencies, said they received 1,90,000 calls a year from people seeking help.

He said volunteers had to be patient and to keep a cool head when facing or talking to someone who is emotional on the phone.