The conversation in this episode dives into suicide prevention, stigma, and the changes needed to get to Zero-Suicide.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

In Singapore, suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people aged between 10 and 29. 

A 160-page white paper report called Project Hayat (meaning ‘life’ in Malay) was launched in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept 10 by advocacy group SG Mental Health Matters.

Project Hayat outlines a national suicide prevention strategy for Singapore, and laid out its own research findings and 23 recommendations for addressing the gaps in suicide prevention here.

In this episode, host Natasha Ann Zachariah finds out how we could talk more openly about suicide matters among young people, and what more can be done to address the gaps in support.

Her guests on the show are the project’s co-lead Dr Rayner Tan, 35, who is from the National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. 

Shantini Sathiyanesan, 38, calls herself a “wounded healer” for her journey through suicidality, and also for having experienced the grief of losing someone to suicide.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:55 Has Project Hayat’s data studies shown unique barriers specific to minorities in society? 

5:30 How to tell if someone has suicidal thoughts; passive and active suicide ideation; what is psychache (psychological pain)? 

9:25 Shantini shares her own lived experience of suicidality - having suicidal thoughts, ideation, and losing someone to suicide -  despite living a highly functioning life

13:58 What is the suicide question and why is it important to ask it? Paradox of saying “I don’t want to be a burden”

20:10 Importance of Project Hayat’s suicide prevention strategies; what can we do better when someone comes to us for help?

31:23 Dr Rayner Tan on Project Hayat’s bold ‘zero suicides’ target for Singapore; on SOS (Samaritans of Singapore) helplines and the experience it offers

The Project Hayat White Paper is available here: www.sgmentalhealthmatters.com

MENTAL WELL-BEING

• Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
• Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
• Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
• Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
• Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 
• Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 
• Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)

COUNSELLING

• Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
• Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
• Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
• Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366
• We Care Community Services: 3165-8017

ONLINE RESOURCES

• https://moht.com.sg/mindline-sg/
• https://fycs.org/ec2-sg/
• https://www.tinklefriend.sg/
• https://www.imh.com.sg/chat/Pages/default.aspx
• https://carey.carecorner.org.sg/ (for those aged 13 to 25)
• https://www.limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav

Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)

Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Eden Soh & Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

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