Measures to Ensure Suicides Rates Continue to Drop

Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Health (a) what are the factors that contributed to the decrease in number of suicides from 476 in 2022 to 322 in 2023, the lowest in more than 20 years; and (b) what measures has the Ministry taken to continue reducing suicide rates.

The Member is referring to data in the Report on Registration of Births and Deaths 2023 published by the Immigration and Checkpoints, which are provisional. The finalised figures will be published next year.

We adopt a whole-of-society approach to address the issue of suicide. We have run several public education campaigns, trained peer supporters and frontline personnel to support those with mental health needs, built up resilience among our youths and students, and expanded community mental health services and 24/7 crisis helplines.

However, what is most important and hopefully starting to reduce the incidence of suicide, is to change societal attitudes, by normalising conversations around mental health and reducing stigma in seeking early help.