- The statistics: If you are having suicidal thoughts, you are definitely not alone. In Malaysia, for past one year, there are about 10-20% of people with various intensity of suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation. That’s 3-4 million people. World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that there are about 2,000 people who killed themselves a year in Malaysia which include people from various age groups, race, genders, religions, various social and professional background. For every suicide, WHO estimates there are 20 attempted suicides.
- Not about being weak or strong. Suicidal thoughts are caused by the interactions of three elements, which is referred to as bio-psychosocial – an interaction of bio-chemical hormones in the brain, psychology, problem solving skills, connectivity with loved ones, family, friends, colleagues, and people in general. It is not about someone being weak or strong. It is about being human.
- Mental pain and hopelessness. Suicidal thoughts are very strong emotions, and we know it is very hard to go through. For many, they do not want to kill themselves, but they wish to find ways to manage their mental pain or psychache … there is a lot of pain in the mind, the mind is noisy, and they hope it will go away. You may feel you have reached the lowest of your live currently and you do not know what to do, it’s difficult to carry on. People who experience high level of psychache and high level of hopelessness (i.e. things will not change) may have the highest suicidal ideation at that current moment of time. Research does show also this level of psychache and hopelessness fluctuate. Sometimes, they may be gone in a few weeks or a few months.
- Hope. Hope is important. Hope that one day the thoughts may start to change slowly towards the better. Hope that the thoughts will stop one day. Hope that you will be able to manage the reasons you first having suicidal thoughts better with the help of others, and better understanding of suicidal thoughts … Hope that you will continue to live another day.
- Reasons for Living. Regardless of age groups, regardless whether you are a school student, university student, young adults, middle age or the elderlies, people find hope in their connection with their loved ones and for those who have a religion, they also find faith and strength, and hope from their various religions. Sometimes, they are asked to reflect deeply about “reasons for living” for themselves personally, so it becomes clearer what is important to them on the longer term, as compared to the shorter term heavy emotions they are feeling right now. Think about people you love, and people you care for, and people that care and love you.
- Hotlines. The hotlines or helplines listed in the website are for you to call if you like someone to talk to. They are all volunteers who are sincere, and are here to care and to give hope. You can call them as many times as you feel needful. Let them be a part of your journey to recovery.
- Courage and strength. You may feel distressed … but that is your current emotions at this time, of which they may change as you pick up courage to move on a bit more … By coming to this website or call one of the hotlines, it displays a tremendous amount of courage and strength in you. You can make it.
- Seeking help. If you feel you are clinically depressed or have the signs of being depressed, please see a medical doctor. Seek help, as in often times, it involves imbalance of hormones in the brain without one knowing. Seeking help is the most important first step in overcoming any form of mental health challenges.
You are not alone.
For a copy of the founder’s own experience dealing with his suicidal thoughts and depression, please click here. His personal contact is on the Contact Us page.