Mr Anthony Yeo,

Chairman, SOS Board of Management

Distinguished guests

Dedicated volunteers

Ladies and Gentlemen

1     In Singapore, national statistics show that on the average, one Singaporean a day takes his own life. For every suicide death, it is estimated that at least 6 to 10 other people will be affected. As a suicide prevention centre, SOS has been organising an annual Suicide Awareness Week for some years, with the aim of creating public awareness of suicide prevention. It has been my privilege to be associated with SOS as a Patron since 1993. And this privilege has accorded me the opportunity to be involved with SOS and the areas of suicide prevention. Once again, therefore, it gives me great pleasure to be here today to join you in the opening of the Suicide Awareness Week 2008 and in the launch of the book written by Yin, a suicide survivor.

2     Every life is precious, and therefore every suicide death is a tragic loss. We are aware that the impact of suicide on the survivors is tremendous. Who are these suicide survivors? They are the family members and loved ones left behind after a suicide death. They are often left one their own to grieve and experience the agony of the loss alone. They also experience different degrees of difficulty in functioning daily, and some are at risk of repeating the suicidal behaviour of the loved one.

3     The book we have today, titled 'Why', tells of the author’s grief after both her parents died by suicide. Writing this book was a painful journey, but as she puts it, it was her way of “making something useful out of the tsunami” that had swept through her life. She hopes her story would be of some comfort to other survivors who feel alone in their experience of suicide grief. This book is dedicated not only to her late parents, but also to the late Ms Mary Mathew, then Executive Director of the Samaritans of Singapore. Ms Mathew started the first support group programme for survivors, the Healing Bridge Programme, and was her first counsellor.

4     Yin decided to come to SOS for help when she heard that SOS worked with people contemplating suicide and with the loved ones left behind after a suicide takes place. She took the first step; she called the SOS hotline. The Samaritan’s voice at the other end exuded warmth, kindness and empathy. She readily accepted the Samaritan’s invitation to come in for counselling. The second step was attending the counselling sessions. She described each session as "untangling the tangled mess of feelings, pulling out each thread and dealing with it one at a time." It gave her some sense of control over the mess. Her next step was joining the Healing Bridge suicide survivors’ support group. Her grief journey became more bearable when she listened to other survivors sharing their stories, which left a deep impression on her. She realised that it was part of the healing process for her and for others.

5     Yin’s story tells us that survivors need not be alone in their grief. They can find support in SOS, through counselling and contact with other survivors who have journeyed before them. I am grateful for Yin’s contribution to SOS, and for the work of all others who offered help to the suicidal as well as to the bereaved. Proceeds of the sale of 'Why' will go towards supporting the Healing Bridge Programme and helping other suicide survivors.

6     On this note, I’m happy to launch this book, and to declare the Suicide Awareness Week 2008 open. Thank you very much.

>>back to top