And so the exodus of quality expats begins. This time it's personal

[webfact]

Society 'must reach out to cut suicides'
The Nation

Minister worries over social media link to people taking their own lives

BANGKOK: -- A THAI commits suicide every two hours, with the youngest recorded victim 10 years old and the oldest 93.

The Public Health Ministry revealed the alarming statistic yesterday to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, and recommended a guideline on how to cut down on the numbers.

For instance, don't ignore or call someone stupid if they say they want to kill themselves.

"We have to reach out and save lives," Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn said.

Across the world, more than 800,000 people commit suicide each year - a number expected to reach 1.5 million by 2020.

"In Thailand, about 3,900 people end their life each year. The suicide rate is the highest in the North," Piyasakol revealed.

He said Thailand was trying to keep the suicide rate at no more than 6.5 per 100,000 people. The 2014 figure was 6.08 per 100,000 with a peak of 8.2 in 2001.

Piyasakol has instructed the Mental Health Department to spearhead efforts to prevent suicides and pay special attention to depressed and impulsive people.

Department director-general Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk said the common causes of suicides were family conflicts, chronic health problems, jealousy and heartbreak.

"About 3 per cent of men who took their own life also harmed others. In women, it is 2 per cent," he said.

Piyasakol expressed concern about the relationship between the rising popularity of social media and the suicide rate, as foreign research revealed the greater access there was to the online world the higher the number of suicides.

There are about 16 million social media users in Thailand, he added.

Jedsada said nearly half of suicide victims signal their intent to kill themselves before doing so. "Such a signal may come in the form of posts on social media too," he said.

Posts like "we may never see each other again" and "this is the last post" could be an indication someone intends to commit suicide, he said.

"These days we have found that people who commit suicide tend to post farewell messages on Facebook, describing how they were suffering and showing picture of guns or any tool used for suicides," he said

Jedsada added if people detected such signals, they should never take them for granted.

"Here's the guideline about what we should do if we detect a signal. When coming across a signal, do not challenge [the person], taunt or make indifferent comments. Also don't share or post pictures of people who have committed suicide or their relatives," he said.

He said upon detecting a suicide signal, people should try to discourage the person from taking their life, talk to the person more and ask people close to them to help or call the Mental Health Department's 1323 hotline.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Society-must-reach-out-to-cut-suicides-30268542.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-11

[Bluespunk]

"Across the world, more than 800,000 people commit suicide each year - a number expected to reach 1.5 million by 2020."

It's expected to almost double in 5 years?

[BuaBS]

Again this manipulation of people into thinking suicide is bad and should be prevented. Life is suffering , but they don't allow you to leave by means of suicide. It's your life and no-one should prevent you from taking the easy way out.

[jerome2]

Yabaa consumption before Thaskin stopped it turn in suicide today maybe... the come back of yabaa should be eradicated ...again

Edited September 11, 2015 by jerome2

[jaywalker]

Sounds like US Army propaganda.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT for suicidal tendencies!!!!!!!

Never realizing they should look for WHY people want to end it all.

[Caesarillion]

Let's hope we can show love and chairity and preserve these precious Thai lives. My GF Kew had slash marks on her wrists and scabby and bitten up legs when I met her near Khao San Road and I did what I could to help her and fix her and show love. I even gave her cell number to a church before I had to return home because my 90 yo mom broke her hip. Sow love and reap love.

[ratcatcher]

Yabaa consumption before Thaskin stopped it turn in suicide today maybe... the come back of yabaa should be eradicated ...again

Surely you are not under the illusion Thaksin wiped out the use of drugs in Thailand? Just a few users and dealers.

[NongKhaiKid]

Yabaa consumption before Thaskin stopped it turn in suicide today maybe... the come back of yabaa should be eradicated ...again

Surely you are not under the illusion Thaksin wiped out the use of drugs in Thailand? Just a few users and dealers.

Just after Mr. T's ' War On Drugs ' ended with 2,000 plus deaths the then Governor of Kalasin proudly announced his province was drug free.

Six weeks later the first drug arrests in the province were announced.

[webfact]

Suicide rates among Thais dropped



BANGKOK: -- Suicide rates in Thailand dropped with about 3,900 Thais successfully took their life last year, according to the Ministry of Public Health yesterday.

Revelation by the ministry came as Thailand observed the World Suicide Prevention Day yesterday.

Public Health Minister Piyasakon Sakonsatayatorn said the suicide rate rose to 8.2 per 100,000 people in 2001 but declined to 6.08 per 100,000 people in 2014.

Although the suicide rate was still below the level 6.5 per 100,000 people set by the ministry, 3,900 Thais had successfully committed suicides in 2014 or one every two hours on average, he said.

He then said the most common causes of suicide are family conflict and desperation.

According to the minister, suicide in males was 3 times higher than males and the highest suicide rate fell within a group of people aged between 35-39 years.

He said the northern region recorded the highest suicide rates followed by the northeastern region.

In a related development, the Department of Mental Health identified two groups of people facing highest risk of suicide are people with depression and those with emotional fluctuation.

Access to internet and social media also increases people’s risk of suicide attempt.

The department then called on people not to challenge, mock or neglect anyone who shows intention to attempt a suicide and to also stop sharing depressed images online.

Instead, they should try to stop anyone from making suicide attempt, to show cares to him and immediately alert peoples with close relation to let these depressed persons.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/suicide-rates-among-thais-dropped

-- Thai PBS 2015-09-11

[jerojero]

Suicide is horrible. It's an outcome of mental illness. But does Thailand have necessary mental health services and support available? No. Why not? Because governments past and present won't put forth needed money and infrastructure to help those in need. Blame social media? Hide occurrences of suicide? so your measured suicide rate goes down? Pathetic.

[steven100]

...................................

[FangFerang]

Yabaa consumption before Thaskin stopped it turn in suicide today maybe... the come back of yabaa should be eradicated ...again

Surely you are not under the illusion Thaksin wiped out the use of drugs in Thailand? Just a few users and dealers.

Actually, he was referring to the plummet of yaba use during the reviled "executions" period. And it plummeted to record low levels.

No one will sell drugs that might get them killed in selling.

History rarely agrees with opinions.....especially ones that target people.

[springheeled jack]

most people take their own lives through depression and depression can be caused by different factors worry ,stress money problems work problems marital problems and unless people get help with these problems it takes a turn for the worse.

[Emster23]

There seems to be a dearth of mental health clinics and/or counselors in Thailand. Monks probably seen to fill that gap, but they are not trained in psychotherapy.

I also hear quite a few farang suicides are the result of watching Thai soaps with tirak..... or is that just a rumor?

[BuaBS]

Suicide is horrible. It's an outcome of mental illness. But does Thailand have necessary mental health services and support available? No. Why not? Because governments past and present won't put forth needed money and infrastructure to help those in need. Blame social media? Hide occurrences of suicide? so your measured suicide rate goes down? Pathetic.

Suicide is not horrible , we all die eventually. Some just choose when and how.

People who end their life , cover a whole spectrum of reasons . From cold hard logic to some that may have a mental illness. The statement that suicide it an outcome of mental illness is outright ridiculas.

Suicide can also be a big F.U. and social media is the place to show and emphasize that. And of course there are the attention seekers and the "cry for help ones" , to which social media is nowadays the easiest means to reach the people you want or a bigger number of people.