Since I work with people who are in distress, I decided to share some resources when it comes to suicide prevention in Singapore.

Avenues for referral

• Inpatient treatment (public)
  • Institute of Mental Health
    Buangkok Green Medical Park
    10 Buangkok View Singapore 539747
    Contact: 6389 2000 (24-hours hotline)
  • KKH
    100 Bukit Timah Road
    Singapore 229899
    Contact: (65) 62255 554 (24-hour hotline)
  • NUH
    5 Lower Kent Ridge Road
    Singapore 119074
    Contact:  (65) 6779 5555 (24-hour hotline)

• Inpatient treatment (private)
  • Mount Elizabeth Orchard (adult MH ward)
    3 Mount Elizabeth Singapore 228510
    Contact: (65) 6731 2218 (24-hour hotline)

• Hotlines
  • Samaritans of Singapore (24-hour) – 1800 221 4444
  • IMH Mental Health Helpline (24-hour) – 6389 2222
  • Singapore Association of Mental Health Helpline – 1800 283 7019
  • Touchline (age 12-25; business hours) – 1800 377 2252
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255
  • Crisis Text Line – 24/7 by texting “START” to 741-74
  • The Trevor Project (an LGBT crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline) – 1-866-488-7386

• International Association for Suicide Prevention – Resources: Crisis Centers
  • • Africa
      • Ghana – lifeline – 233 244 846 701
      • Liberia – 06534308 – lifeline liberia
      • Mauritius – 46 48 889 – befrienders
      • Namibia – 61-232-221 – lifeline/childline namibia
      • South africa – 031 765 1587 – careline
      • South africa – 08000 55555 – childline sa
      • South africa – 0861-322-322 – lifeline southern africa
    • Asia
      • China – (021) 6279-8990 – lifeline shanghai
      • Hong kong – 2382 0000 – suicide prevention services
      • India – + 0484 2540530 – maithri
      • India – +91 9243473794 – save india family foundation
      • Japan – 03-5774-0992 – tokyo english lifeline
      • Japan – 06-4395-4343 spc-osaka
      • Philippines – +632-893-7606 or +632-893-7603 – crisis line philippines
      • South korea – 02) 715-8600 – counsel24
      • Thailand – 02-713-6793 – samaritans
      • Sri lanka – 2 682535 – sumithrayo
    • Europe
      • Armenia – (2) 538194 – (2) 538197 – trust social work and sociological research centre
      • Austria – 142 telefon seelsorge
      • Belgium – 106 – tele onthaal
      • Belgium – 1813 – centrum ter preventie van zelfdoding
      • Denmark – livslin (70 201 201)
      • France – 01 45 39 40 00 – suicide écoute
      • Hungary – sos 505
      • Italy – 06 33777740
      • Netherlands – 0900-0767 – sensoor
      • Norway – 815 33 300 – kirkens sos
      • Portugal – 21 354 45 45 – sos voz amiga
      • Scotland – 0800 83 85 87 – breathing space
    • North america
      • Québec – 1 866 a p p e l l e – association québécoise de prévention du suicide
      • Barbados – (246) 4299999 – samaritans of barbados
      • USA – national suicide prevention hotline 1-800-273-talk (8255)
    • South america
      • Argentina – (054 011) 4664-1936
      • Bolivia, la paz – 2248486 – teléfono de la esperanza
      • Brazil – 141 – cvv
      • Chile – (00 56 42) 22 12 00 – teléfono de la esperanza
      • Colombia – barranquilla – (00 57 5) 372 27 27 – teléfono de la esperanza
      • Equador – quito – (593) 2 6000477 – 2923327 – teléfono de la esperanza
      • Guyana – 223-0001, 223-0009, 223-0818
      • Honduras – 558 08 08 – teléfono de la esperanza
      • Peru – Lima – (00 51 1) 273 8026 – teléfono de la esperanza
      • Uruguay – 0800-vive (8483) – último recurso
    • Oceania
      • Australia – 13 11 14 – lifeline australia
      • New zealand – 0800 543 345 – lifeline new zealand
      • Papua new guinea – 675 326 0011 – lifeline port moresby
      • Samoa – lifeline 800-5433 (800-life)
      • Tonga – 23000 25144 lifeline tonga

• Other referrals
  • Multidisciplinary management of suicide risk

Do’s and Don’ts

DO’s

1. Do ask the ‘tough’ questions no matter how uncomfortable.
2. Do keep referral information and emergency contacts on hand.
3. Be aware. Learn the warning signs.
4. Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
5. Ask if she or he is thinking about suicide
6. Be direct. Talk openly and freely about suicide.
7. Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
8. Be non-judgmental.
9. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad.
10. Don’t lecture on the value of life.

DONT’S

1. Don’t make assumptions.
2. Don’t dare him or her to do it.
3. Don’t ask why. This encourages defensiveness.
4. Offer empathy, not sympathy.
5. Don’t act shocked. This will put distance between you.
6. Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
7. Offer hope that alternatives are available and Take Action.

About Dr. Martha Tara Lee