Mental health is essential for a person’s well-being and effective functioning. The World Health Organization defines it as “a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. There is no health without mental health.”

The five leading mental health problems in the Asia and Pacific region: depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal behaviour, and substance-abuse disorder. (Source: Data from the WHO and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development as cited in this Asia Development Bank report on Mental Wellness in Asia)

For information on which conditions are most prevalent in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore, and where their respective healthcare support systems stand, click here. Mental disorders are treatable. But stigma around them has been a factor in people not seeking the help they need.

“Suicidal behaviour includes suicidal ideation (frequent thoughts of ending one's life), suicide attempts (the actual event of trying to kill one's self), and completed suicide (death occurs). Suicidal behaviour is most often accompanied by intense feelings of hopelessness, depression, or self‐destructive behaviours (parasuicidal behaviours).”

Not all people with mental illness are not affected by suicidal thoughts. Not all people who attempt suicide have mental illness. Other life stressors can cause suicidal behaviour, which include relationship problems, domestic violence, financial problems, trauma, abuse, persecution, debilitating illness and death of a loved one, among others.

In Singapore, the suicide rate is 11.2 per 100,000 population. Suicide is the leading cause of death for those aged 10-29 in Singapore.

In Malaysia, the suicide rate is 5.7 per 100,000 population. There were 468 suicides in the first five months of 2021 - or three a day, nearly double the rate in 2020.

In Indonesia, the suicide rate is 2.4 per 100,000 population.

In India, the suicide rate is 12.7 per 100,000 population. Suicide is the number one cause of death in young Indians and accounts for more deaths than any other cause in the age group 15 to 35.

In the Philippines, the suicide rate is 2.2 per 100,000 population. Suicide rose by 25.7% in 2020 compared to 2019.

(Source for suicide rates: World Population Review)

This one created in the UK is helpful for suicide prevention.

The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) offers training too.

Talk about it. Take part in the conversation about suicide. This also means attentive and empathetic listening of people’s stories about their experience of suicidal behaviour.

Provide a safe space for honesty and vulnerability. “‘Holding space’ means being physically, mentally, and emotionally present for someone. It means putting your focus on someone to support them as they feel their feelings.”

This reduces the stigma, allows individuals to seek help, reconsider their views and share their story with others. We all need to talk more about suicide.

Click here for a list of hotline numbers in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and the Philippines. In Singapore, this is the Directory on Mental Health Services in Singapore from the National Council of Social Services.

You can also go to our resources page for a list of organisations supporting mental health and wellness.

At Our Better World we tell stories that cover many causes, countries and cultures. Our aim is to raise awareness of the causes featured in our stories to inspire people to take action and get involved.

We create specific series so you can dive deeper into a single cause, topic or issue. It features inspiring personal stories on the same theme, which provides not only different perspectives, but also a myriad of ways to get involved and take action.

Our Mental Health Series is titled Silent No More - Giving Voice to Mental Health.

The most compelling reason we are doing this series is because mental health affects all of us – including everyone we love. We can all do something about it. Our Better World focuses on giving you insights, perspectives and resources to do your part to address stigma and promote mental health and well-being.

Silent No More - Giving Voice to Mental Health comprises original stories from Our Better World, first-person contributions from the community and resources to support mental health.

The Series touches on people who have experienced depression, schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder, to name a few. Stories featured talk about youth and suicide, trauma and stigma, despair and hope. The series also delves into the role of family and friends and every caregiver that walks alongside every person on their journey towards recovery.

The goal of the series is to recognise that we can all do something to support the people around us with mental health conditions and provide practical ways to eradicate the stigma that prevents people from either seeking help or helping those who need it. It also recommends human skills on how to be there and care for one another - paying attention, actively listening, getting involved, intentionally discussing and providing help.

Yes, you can and we welcome you! If you have faced mental health challenges and are interested to share your story on our blog and let others know they are not alone, or have someone you love – a friend or a family member – who has a mental health condition and you want to discuss what you’ve learned in caring for them, pitch your idea here.