Rising teen suicides demands urgent, proactive response

Community effort

Wai of the Samaritan Befrienders says recognizing potential suicide signs should not be limited to professionals. Parents, teachers, and classmates can all play a role, but society must first offer them the required emotional education, coaching, and mental health awareness.

Students may exhibit abnormalities in physical, behavioral, emotional, and mental aspects, notes Wai. For example, physically, they may suffer headaches, insomnia, or stomach pain. Behaviorally, there may be a sudden decline in grades or a reluctance to socialize. Emotionally, they may exhibit depression and sadness. Mentally, they may harbor negative thoughts.

When noticing these signs, parents, teachers, and friends must prioritize the emotional well-being of students. When students consistently fail to complete homework, a teacher might investigate emotional stress, instead of readily disciplining the pupil, suggests Wai.

Christian Services' Chung calls for society to combat the stigmatization of mental health issues and eliminate the shame around help-seeking, empowering youth to openly discuss distress without fear of judgment. Also, since students often confide their problems only to those to whom they are closest and whom they trust, society must foster closer relationships and connections within communities and schools.