A Whole-of-Society Initiative led by SG Mental Health Matter
Towards a National Suicide Prevention Strategy for Singapore
Suicide is a deeply concerning and complex issue in Singapore. Despite efforts over the years, they have been sporadic, and the absence of a unified approach has left gaps in prevention, intervention, and support. The pressing need for a comprehensive and coordinated national response in Singapore is apparent.
About the white paper
Purpose
SG Mental Health Matters is working with stakeholders to develop a white paper for a National Suicide Prevention Strategy. This paper aims to rally support for the formation of a ground-up working group. This collaborative approach recognizes the multifaceted nature of suicide prevention and understands that no single entity, whether governmental, private or community-based, can tackle this issue in isolation. A concerted, cross-sector effort is essential to make a tangible and lasting impact in suicide prevention work in Singapore.
Working Group
Working Group Members (as at 10 Sep 2023)
- Anthea Ong, Former Nominated Member of Parliament/Founder, Hush TeaBar, SG Mental Health Matters/Board Chairman, WorkWell Leaders (Co-Lead)
- Dr Jared Ng, former Chief of Emergency Services, Institute of Mental Health/Medical Director, Fullerton Healthcare/Member, SG Mental Health Matters (Co-Lead)
- Gasper Tan, CEO, Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
- Keith Chua, Nominated Member of Parliament/Vice Chair of Singapore Anglican Services/Board Chairman, Caring for Life
- Assistant Professor Reuben Ng, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Lolicy, National University of Singapore Behaviourial Scientist (leading a global research project on FOWO (fear of worrying others)
- Dr Rayner Tan, Saw Swee Hock School Of Public Health, National University of Singapore/Board Member, Greenhouse/Lead, SG Mental Health Matters
- Nicholas Lee, Executive Director, Resilience Collective Ltd
- Valerie Lim, Co-Founder, Please Stay Movement
- Rosie Ching, Principal Lecturer of Statistics and Principal Investigator of the nationwide Suicide Study 2022, Singapore Management University
- Adrian Liew, Founder and CEO, OPPI
Outcome and Framework
The primary outcome of this workgroup is to develop a white paper that will serve as a blueprint for a national suicide prevention strategy for Singapore. The white paper will outline key strategies, interventions, and collaborations, all aimed at reducing suicide rates and providing compassionate support to those affected.
The framework will be guided by international best practices, including WHO's guidance on suicide prevention. It will be tailored to Singapore's unique cultural, social, and economic context and developed through a consultative process that actively engages all relevant stakeholders, ensuring a locally resonant yet globally informed approach.
A comprehensive review of suicide prevention strategies from other countries will be conducted to glean valuable insights:
- UK: Analysing the National Suicide Prevention Policy, focusing on their multi-agency approach, public health strategies, and community engagement initiatives.
- EU: Understanding the EU's collaborative efforts across member states, with a focus on mental health promotion and evidence-based interventions.
- Indonesia: Studying Indonesia's first national strategy which emphasises culturally sensitive approaches and community-based programs.
It is important to note that the above examples are illustrative and not exhaustive. The framework recognizes the need to look beyond these regions and consider a wide range of international experiences and approaches.
Findings of Oppi Poll
How do we approach the topic of Suicide in Singapore?
The team at OPPi asked 200 people, most aged between 18-34, about suicide and self-harm. We wanted to know:
- How many of us actively think about suicide, and why?
- What are the most common stressors to our mental health?
- How many of us self-harm, and why?
- Why is it so difficult to talk about these topics?
- What can we do to support each other and decrease suicidal risk?
Key Findings
- A total of 73 (37%) individuals revealed that they had contemplated suicide in the past year. (31.7% among men; 41.4% among women).
- About 45% of the sample reported knowing at least one person in the family or social circle that is suicidal
- Overall, the biggest stressor for female participants was work (14.21%), closely followed by family related stress (13.2%) and loneliness (12.7%). In contrast, males attributed most of their mental health stress to financial pressure (16.24%), with relationship problems (10.66%) and work related stress (9.64%) as secondary.
- 53.3% of participants reported that if they were suicide, they would never tell anyone.
- 64.3% of participants disagreed, and only 13.4% agreed (22.3% undecided) that talking about suicide openly increases suicide risk in vulnerable individuals
Methodology
OPPi is a digital focus group platform that allows quantitative measurement of qualitative data at scale. OPPi had previously conducted a research study with SG Mental Health Matters and the full methodology is presented here: https://sgmentalhealthmatters.com/methodology
OPPi is a platform that emulates the experience of a physical focus group discussion. Participants are presented with seed statements and encouraged to share their thoughts, while moderators can use interesting perspectives and ideas to generate new questions and obtain qualitative measurements in real-time. After the study, we carefully analyzed all complete responses from 320 participants. To ensure a fair comparison, we randomly selected 100 male and 100 female participants for a comparative analysis.
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