Mental Health Support for Elderly Population To Prevent Suicides

21 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health in view of the increase in suicide rates among seniors aged 70 to 79 (a) what additional measures are being taken to provide mental health support for the elderly population; and (b) how are social isolation and loneliness being addressed among this age group.

22 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health (a) what are the mental distress indicators and suicide risk factors for the elderly; (b) how will the enhanced Active Ageing Centres and Silver Generation Office work together to support and prevent suicides among the elderly; and (c) whether the Ministry will offer dialect suicide hotlines for elderly individuals who are more comfortable expressing themselves in their native languages.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: These questions have been addressed in my reply to Question No 15 for oral answer at the 3 August 2023 Parliament Sitting.