Materia Medica Malaysiana

Number of suicides to rise

Suicide is set to be the second leading cause of deaths in Malaysia in the next 10 years, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
The current top three killers are heart diseases, accidents and cancer.
“Don’t think you are okay if you can work, eat and sleep. Depression, being a type of mental problem, is very dangerous,” he told reporters.
Dr Chua said the World Health Organisation has stated that suicide would be the second leading cause of deaths in developing countries in the next five to 10 years.
“People who are more at risk of depression and suicide include those from broken families, having financial problems, suffering from acute depression and living with single parents.
“It is important for one to know when one is suffering from a mental problem,” he said.
Dr Chua also said the MCA would launch a living skill campaign on March 5 which would focus on stress and mental illnesses, marriage, sex and eating disorders.
The rest are financial management, career development and lifestyle, he added.
He said there would be a living skill seminar on communication skills for MCA leaders and elected representatives on Feb 26.