KUCHING: A seminar and forum with the title of ‘Igniting Hope’ was held at the Borneo Cultures Museum yesterday in conjunction with the upcoming World Suicide Prevention Day that falls on Sept 10.
The aim of the seminar and forum was to create an inclusive, respectful and open space to encourage discussions about suicide prevention.
Five main talks given were suicide prevention 101, ways to get help in crisis (related to suicide), decriminalisation of suicide attempts, experience of running a helpline and sharing of lived experience of suicide loss.
Five different professionals assembled for the seminar and forum were psychiatrist from Miri Hospital Dr Ravivarma Rao Panirselva, psychiatrist from Permai Hospital Johor Bahru Dr Bawih Inu Pu’un, executive director of Befrienders Kuala Lumpur Kenny Lim, global health researcher from Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERIA) Dr Norman Chong, and founder of Awareness Against Suicide (AWAS) Puan Alia @ Kak Ngah.
Dr Ravivarma, in a press statement, said that suicides affect the most vulnerable in our society.
“Language is a reflection of our thoughts, values and beliefs. Using non-stigmatising and respectful language is important in safely conveying our messages without traumatising the intended customer.
“People who have lived experience including those bereaved and vulnerable to suicide have shared in literature both local and international on why language matters.
“Socially transmissible suicidal behaviour happens when communication and language is unsafe,” he said.
He added that by conversing about suicide, it should be aimed at preventing suicides from happening.
“Our words need to destigmatise suicide, provide dignity to the lives lost and the people who are surviving the loss,” he concluded.
