Destigmatize mental health.

September is suicide prevention month – a time to raise awareness on this topic. Everything from it’s causes, its prevention, sharing helpful resources, shifting public perception etc. People are afraid of things that they don’t understand so there is a tendency to avoid talking about it altogether. Choosing to ignore a problem does not miraculously make it go away. Meaningful conversations surrounding the topic of mental health are important in strengthening the fight against suicide. Learning to recognize early warning signs can potentially help to save lives.

An organization devoted to this cause in Singapore is called Samaritans of Singapore (SOS). According to their website, “Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) is dedicated to providing confidential emotional support to individuals facing a crisis, thinking about or affected by suicide. Non-religious and not for profit, our work focuses on crisis intervention and suicide prevention.” There’s a 24 hour hotline available, dial 1-767 for emotional support – you can do so anonymously. SOS assures you that all information shared with them will remain private.

Tips for Suicide Prevention

^{Image and caption source: Samaritans of Singapore Facebook Page}

^{Image and caption source: Samaritans of Singapore Facebook Page}

^{Image and caption source: Samaritans of Singapore Facebook Page}

People with suicidal thoughts often feel alone, it’s important to let them know that you care and that they matter.