THE very moment we fail to openly discuss about suicide and mental health issues, it is the very beginning we fail to understand how devastating and catastrophic the consequences can be of those actions committed, head of Befrienders Worldwide Neil Hawkins said.
He said if people were able to normalise and openly speak about the importance of physical health, why not do so with mental health as well?
“If the mind is strong, I am sure the body could be strong as well.
“Human life is so beautiful and it is just so painful to see people taking their lives away.
“If we can talk about mental health just the way we talk about our physical being, like how frequently we hit the gym and so on to keep fit, I am sure we can apply the same with our mental health,” Neil said during a press conference on the topic of suicide and mental health issues at the Befrienders Penang office in Jelutong on 19 June.
Neil, 56, a Welsh, also said suicide is the fourth biggest killer worldwide among the young people today.
“Approximately, there are about 700,000 to 850,000 suicide cases yearly.
“That is when suicide prevention group like Befrienders play a key role in the lives of many who are going through a tough time, and eventually see no other solution but to end their lives.
“Our people at Befrienders are professionally trained and they are all completely passionate in lending a hand to make a difference in the lives of those affected.
“We have about 30,000 volunteers worldwide, operating in some 43 countries with different languages.
“If you have a problem, just reach out and speak to someone. It could be anyone you find yourself comfortable with.
“We are here to assist as well. Contact us if you need help or seek any form of professional help,” Neil added.
Befrienders is a London-based charity group that was established in 1957.
Meanwhile, national council of Befrienders Malaysia president and Befrienders Penang outreach director Saras Pillay has questioned the Federal Government’s delay in making changes to the law so that suicide would no longer be a crime.
“Why is it taking such a long time for the leaders there (Putrajaya) to come up with the amendment bill,” Saras said when speaking to reporters during the press conference.
She said it was important Putrajaya speed up the process to allow Befrienders and other relevant groups to be involved in measures to handle suicide and mental health issues with the Federal Government.
In March this year, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said a study on the proposed amendments to the Penal Code was almost ready and would be submitted to the Cabinet.
Under Section 309 of the Penal Code, whoever attempts to commit suicide shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to a year or with a fine or both.
Meanwhile, Befrienders Penang vice chairman Dr Kala Devi, who is a retired lecturer, said becoming a Befriender member is not an easy task because it requires a lot of patience and ability to handle people’s emotions.
“I have been training new recruits for the past three years. For freshies, they will have to go through eight weeks of theory classes followed by probation for four months.
“We have to be very careful on who we bring onboard because as much as we are trying to help people recover from their problems, it is equally or even more important to have highly qualified individuals handling them,” Kala said.
Also present during the press conference were Befrienders Penang chairman Andrew Tan Keng Seang and its publicity director Brian John Dorai.
Story and pix by Kevin Vimal