Youth Suicide in Malaysia
Executive Summary
Youth suicide is a major issue in Malaysia that requires the use of public relations to reach out to the society and convey the subject and its effects. Through the use of Public relations campaigns, it is possible to educate all parties to take action to limit the stigma surrounding suicide and help our youth through support and treatment. Through past cases and campaigns, it is possible to identify the key components that would make a suicide prevention campaign more effective in Malaysia.
Background
Suicide on its own is a severe problem faced worldwide, most particularly – Youth suicide. Based on the World Health Organization, youth suicide is rampant in Asia where the countries with large populations have high suicide rates which contribute a large portion to the number of suicides worldwide.
Youth is classified as teenagers and young adults mostly aged 15 to 24 years. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among youth worldwide and is a very troubling issue. Parents, teachers, psychologists etc. from all across the globe take on the responsibility of doing whatever is in their power to prevent this tragic loss of life through guidance, support and more. Researchers continually try to understand the reasons that prompt young people to take such drastic action on their lives (Kok and Goh, 2011).
The suicide rates in Malaysia have increased by 60% over the past 45 years with a fairly high suicide rate of approximately 12 per 100,000 people resulting in over 30,000 family members and friends be negatively affected by such actions (NSRM, 2009).
As a result, youth suicide rates are on the rise. Research showed that around 7% of adolescents encounter suicide ideation and more than half of them actually take action. Based on the National Suicide Registry of Malaysia; the suicide rate among youths in Malaysia is estimated to be 3 in every 100,000 (The Malaysian Bar, 2008). In 2011 alone, there were an estimated total of 425 suicide
Youth suicide is a major issue in Malaysia that requires the use of public relations to reach out to the society and convey the subject and its effects. Through the use of Public relations campaigns, it is possible to educate all parties to take action to limit the stigma surrounding suicide and help our youth through support and treatment. Through past cases and campaigns, it is possible to identify the key components that would make a suicide prevention campaign more effective in Malaysia.
Background
Suicide on its own is a severe problem faced worldwide, most particularly – Youth suicide. Based on the World Health Organization, youth suicide is rampant in Asia where the countries with large populations have high suicide rates which contribute a large portion to the number of suicides worldwide.
Youth is classified as teenagers and young adults mostly aged 15 to 24 years. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among youth worldwide and is a very troubling issue. Parents, teachers, psychologists etc. from all across the globe take on the responsibility of doing whatever is in their power to prevent this tragic loss of life through guidance, support and more. Researchers continually try to understand the reasons that prompt young people to take such drastic action on their lives (Kok and Goh, 2011).
The suicide rates in Malaysia have increased by 60% over the past 45 years with a fairly high suicide rate of approximately 12 per 100,000 people resulting in over 30,000 family members and friends be negatively affected by such actions (NSRM, 2009).
As a result, youth suicide rates are on the rise. Research showed that around 7% of adolescents encounter suicide ideation and more than half of them actually take action. Based on the National Suicide Registry of Malaysia; the suicide rate among youths in Malaysia is estimated to be 3 in every 100,000 (The Malaysian Bar, 2008). In 2011 alone, there were an estimated total of 425 suicide
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