More seeking help for gambling problems: SOS
The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) says there has been an increase in the number of calls seeking counselling assistance, specifically on loan sharks and gambling issues.
The organisation -- which provides 24-hour emotional support to callers -- said it handled a total of 41,079 calls from last April to March this year, of which 27,596 were deemed as "crisis calls". This is an increase from the previous year, which recorded a total of 39,956 calls.
SOS deputy director Tan-Lee Yoke Yin told Yahoo! Singapore that "crisis calls" are those made by callers who are in some form of distress.
"These callers may or may not be experiencing suicidal thoughts but they are usually in need of emotional support or help," she said, adding that more males than females call to talk about their problems.
Of all the crisis calls, some 2,370 were related to difficulties in paying off debts. Since 2009, SOS also highlighted a sharp 61.5 percent rise in calls involving loan sharks. The SOS line saw a spike in the number of callers seeking counselling for gambling problems. There were a total of 196 such cases or an increase of 48.5 per cent as compared to the last report.
Tan-Lee said that such callers are assessed to be at a "medium or higher risk of suicide" because of the tremendous pressure they are under to meet the repayment deadlines for their loans.
Many also face anxiety on how their gambling problems or borrowing from loan sharks could affect family relationships, and are particularly difficult to engage as they usually require an urgent need for funds to service their loans, added Tan-Lee.
However, those with such problems will be referred to other community resources for additional help and support.
Describing the trend as "worrying", SOS said that the figures have also been rising in recent years but did not disclose the factors which could have influenced the rise.
Drop in suicide rate
SOS also noted a decrease in suicide rates from 9.35 in 2009 to 7.85 per 100,000 residents last year.
The total number of confirmed suicides has dropped from 401 to 353, although the number of cases involving men was still higher than women.
"Some possible causes of the decrease could be that there is a greater awareness of this taboo subject in the community and more are willing to come forward to talk about their distress and to seek help," said SOS in its statement.
It noted that more community resources are also being pumped in to assist those struggling with various needs and crises.
The number of counselling sessions conducted by the organisation also increased to 343, a spike of 51.8 per cent as compared to last year.
The problems of those who sought counselling also varied from boy-girl relationships to psychological issues which deal with suicide grief or mental illness.
SOS said that counselling support is provided by professional staff members who are trained counsellors and social workers.
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) 24-hour Helpline: 1800-2214444 or email pat@samaritans.org.sg
