Every day, 4 or 5 people in Singapore attempt suicide
Problem that affected mainly elderly spreads to those in their 30s to 40s
Published on Nov 23, 2011
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20111122/ST_IMAGES_JTSUICIDE23e.jpg
For people in their 30s and 40s who try to kill themselves, the trigger is often failed relationships and huge debts, said Ms Esther Lim of SGH. -- TNP FILE PHOTO
By Salma Khalik, Health Correspondent
Every day, four or five people in Singapore attempt suicide. At least one succeeds.
Doctors and medical social workers say those trying to kill themselves also appear to be getting younger.
The problem used to affect mainly the elderly, but in recent years it has spread to those in their 30s and 40s, said Ms Esther Lim, head of medical social services at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
For them, the trigger is often failed relationships and huge debts, she said. The rate of suicide attempts is based on information from hospitals.
The bigger ones, such as SGH and the National University Hospital (NUH), say they deal with one case a day.
Smaller ones such as Khoo Teck Puat Hospital have a case every other day.
Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20111122/ST_IMAGES_JTSUICIDE23e.jpg
For people in their 30s and 40s who try to kill themselves, the trigger is often failed relationships and huge debts, said Ms Esther Lim of SGH. -- TNP FILE PHOTO
By Salma Khalik, Health Correspondent
Every day, four or five people in Singapore attempt suicide. At least one succeeds.
Doctors and medical social workers say those trying to kill themselves also appear to be getting younger.
The problem used to affect mainly the elderly, but in recent years it has spread to those in their 30s and 40s, said Ms Esther Lim, head of medical social services at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
For them, the trigger is often failed relationships and huge debts, she said. The rate of suicide attempts is based on information from hospitals.
The bigger ones, such as SGH and the National University Hospital (NUH), say they deal with one case a day.
Smaller ones such as Khoo Teck Puat Hospital have a case every other day.
Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.
