Suicides in Singapore surge to more than 2-decade high amid ‘unseen mental distress’
- Local NGO Samaritans of Singapore said 476 individuals killed themselves in 2022, ‘the highest recorded suicide deaths since 2000’
- A veteran psychiatrist said the increase ‘paints a picture of the unseen mental distress permeating our society’
The suicide rates among young people aged 10-29 and elderly people aged 70-79 were particularly concerning, the prevention centre Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) said in its annual press release containing statistics on the issue.
A total of 476 individuals killed themselves in 2022, “the highest recorded suicide deaths since 2000”, up from 378 the year before, the SOS release said.
“Seeing the unprecedented rise in suicide numbers in Singapore is profoundly heartbreaking,” veteran psychiatrist and mental health consultant Jared Ng was quoted as saying.
“This increase paints a picture of the unseen mental distress permeating our society, especially among our youths and the elderly.
“It is crucial that we remain vigilant to the pressing issues that continue to heavily impact mental health, such as social isolation and loneliness.”
