MOHW urges public to help prevent suicide
By Lee I-chia / Staff reporter
The public should listen to, understand and have empathy with others to build a resilient social safety net together, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), healthcare workers and health groups said yesterday, echoing the message of World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday.
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on Sept. 10 annually. The theme for 2024 to this year is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”
Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) said “changing the narrative” is about shifting from a culture of silence, lack of understanding and even stigmatization, to one of openness, listening and empathy, allowing those who are struggling to feel accepted and supported.
Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Chuang Jen-hsiang speaks at an event in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Lo Pi, Taipei Times
Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center director Huang Min-wei (黃敏偉) said the center’s surveys found that many people are aware that they should try to accompany those who are in need or encourage them to seek help, but up to 88 percent said they avoid talking about the issue directly with the person.
Only 18.4 percent said they know about the “Question, Persuade and Refer” (QPR) protocol — noticing warning signs and asking a direct question about suicide, listening closely to the person and convincing them to stay alive, and connecting the person to professional medical or mental health resources, he said.
People often have the misconception that those who commit suicide do not ask for help, but about 70 to 80 percent of people show signs of distress beforehand, Huang said, adding that sometimes, signals for help are mistaken for complaints.
Chuang said the ministry in August 2024 launched a mental health support program for young people and middle-aged adults, offering people aged between 15 and 45 up to three free psychological counseling sessions.
The program aimed to lower the barrier for those seeking mental health support, enable early detection of high-risk cases and provide timely intervention through professional assessments, Chuang added.
The ministry’s Department of Mental Health said that more than 57,000 people have used the service as of the end of last month, and more than 25 percent of them received referrals for further mental health services.
Chuang said the ministry plans to continue the program next year and has allocated about NT$430 million (US$13.59 million) in its budget proposal for it.
Other mental health resources include the 75 community mental health centers and 396 mental health counseling service locations across the country, the ministry’s free 24-hour suicide prevention hotline at 1925, the men’s care hotline at 0800-013-999, the online “Heart Healthier” Mental Health Learning Platform, he said.
Chuang urged the public to ask friends or relatives who are acting differently how they are doing, give them their full attention and listen without judging or offering solutions.
If the person seems to need further help, they should follow the QPR protocol and help the person receive timely professional support, he added.
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