MELAKA: Befrienders’ “support headliners” have noted an increase over the years in callers who are suicidal. Befrienders chairman Olivia Chua said the rising trend is cause for alarm as 360 out of 4,000 callers in 2016 were deemed suicidal when they sought help through the phone counselling service. "Last year, we recorded the highest number of callers who sought help (for suicidal feelings), out of an average of 4,000 calls. Chua expressed her concern over the increase in callers struggling with suicidal thoughts and depression. She added that the percentage of callers relaying suicidal thoughts were 5.45 per cent in 2014, but increased to 7.19 per cent in 2015 and 9 per cent last year.

Source: New Strait Times September 18, 2017 07:07 UTC