Annual Number of Suicides and Attempted Suicides by Age, Race, Educational Level and Economic Background

5 Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the annual number of suicides and attempted suicides, broken down by (i) age, race, education level and economic background for each of the years between 2011 and 2015 and (ii) race, education level and economic background for each of the years between 2016 and 2020; and (b) what are the causes that led to these suicides and attempted suicides.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Ms Rahayu Mahzam) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, the number of suicide cases is publicly released in the Report on Registration of Births and Deaths by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on an annual basis, where there is a breakdown by age and race.

From the published data, we can deduce that by age, younger people 19 years and below, account for disproportionately fewer suicides, while the converse is true for people aged 60 and above. By race, Malays account for disproportionately fewer suicides, while the converse is true for Indians.

Breakdowns by education level and economic background are not available.

There are usually multiple factors that may lead a person to commit and attempt suicide. These factors include relationships, family, social, financial, mental and physical health issues.

Mr Speaker: Mr Faisal Manap.

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap (Aljunied): Thank you, Sir, and I thank the Parliamentary Secretary. Just one supplementary question. May I know what are the follow-ups that are taken by relevant Government agencies in helping those who are saved from attempted suicide?

Ms Rahayu Mahzam: Singapore adopts a multi-pronged approach to suicide prevention. Government agencies and stakeholders in the social service sectors work together to prevent suicides by promoting upstream prevention, encouraging help-seeking, providing support to at-risk groups and offering crisis support. For example, for youths, for young people, we have MOE enhancing upstream efforts through the refreshed Character and Citizenship Education curriculum in schools, and mental resilience and well-being programmes in the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs).

There have also been efforts to raise parents' awareness in mental health to help them support the well-being of their children in school. We have individuals and families with social emotional needs who can get counselling from touchpoints like Family Service Centres. HPB also conducts mental well-being programmes.

For working adults, we have support through HPB, roadshows and workshops, to provide stress management tips and techniques to employees, as well as various campaigns through NCSS.

There are also efforts to help with early identification and encouraging help-seeking. School teachers, academic staff, even peers in schools are encouraged to look out for people who need interventions and support is given to them.

Mr Speaker: Mr Faisal Manap.

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap: Just a short supplementary question. Are these help measures mentioned by the Parliamentary Secretary made mandatory for such individuals, those who were being saved from attempted suicide?

Ms Rahayu Mahzam: Usually, the support that is given flows from the support when we identify or when they are sent to hospitals. The support is automatically given. As to whether or not they wish to proceed, that is something that we cannot force them to. But this support is available and, typically, usually with the provision of this guide and counsellors on hand, they are usually getting the support that they need.

Mr Speaker: Next question, Mr Faisal Manap.