BEFRIENDERS Penang will organise a public forum, titled ‘Lost All Hope, Suicide Ideation & Stigma’, at Auditorium A, Komtar on Sept 14 from 8.30am to 1pm.
The panellists are consultant clinical psychologist Dr Lynne Yong, Margarita Pillay, Dr Joni Teoh Bing Fei and Sukhveer Kaur. There will also be sharing session by Dr Yong.
State Environment, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the purpose of holding the forum was to increase public awareness and prevent suicides.
“Suicide affects all of us. We face daily challenges and have mental health issues to manage, be it for ourselves, relatives, colleagues or friends,” Phee told a press conference in Komtar on Aug 15.
“We must work diligently to help prevent situations that negatively affect mental health and which could escalate into suicide.
“Over the past decade, the rising number of young Malaysians afflicted by mental health problems from the Health Ministry’s public surveys has thrown a spotlight on an acute public health issue.
“A recent survey showed the suicide tendency was the highest among 16-24 age group.”
Also present were Befrienders Penang chairman Damian Lee, Pertubuhan Wanita Mutiara Pulau Pinang president Tan Lean Kee and Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim.
At the press conference, Tan, on behalf of Pertubuhan Wanita Mutiara Pulau Pinang, presented a mock cheque for RM3,000 to Befrienders Penang.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi