Latest news with #Befrienders
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman dies after fall from seventh floor of Penang shopping mall car park
KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — A local woman was found dead after allegedly falling from the seventh floor of a parking structure at a shopping mall in Bayan Lepas last Saturday. South-west District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Sazalee Adam said the 29-year-old victim, from Sungai Bakap, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a report in Sinar Harian today. He said the woman is believed to have suffered severe injuries after falling from the southern car park area of the mall. 'Police received information about the incident at 12.47pm from an auxiliary police officer on duty in the area. 'Preliminary investigations indicate that the victim is believed to have fallen from the seventh floor, with her body discovered near the mall's loading bay,' he said in a statement on Tuesday. Sazalee added that the victim's personal belongings were found inside a Honda City believed to belong to her. 'An early witness, a supermarket employee, reported seeing the woman fall from above at around 12.44pm while driving towards the loading bay. 'Investigations also revealed that the victim left her home at around 9am and last contacted her family at noon to say she intended to buy food,' he said. The victim's body was sent to the Forensics Department of Balik Pulau Hospital for a post-mortem. 'The autopsy confirmed the cause of death as multiple injuries consistent with a fall from height,' he said. The case has been classified as sudden death (SDR) and investigations are ongoing. *If you are lonely, distressed, or having negative thoughts, Befrienders offers free and confidential support 24 hours a day. A full list of Befrienders contact numbers and state operating hours is available here: There are also free hotlines for young people: Talian Kasih at 15999 (24/7); Talian BuddyBear at 1800-18-2327(BEAR)(daily 12pm-12am); Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); and Jakim's Family, Social and Community Care Centre (WhatsApp 0111-959 8214).
The Star
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Befrienders Malaysia to hold training session on suicide prevention on May 11-12
KOTA KINABALU: A holistic approach is needed to address the nation's silent crisis of suicide, said Befrienders Malaysia. Befrienders Malaysia president Jessie Ting said the recent and ongoing cases of suicides reported in the media were tragic but could have been prevented. 'We urge society to confront this issue with compassion, urgency, and collective responsibility,' she said, adding that suicide is not a moral failing but often, the result of untreated mental health conditions. She said one of the most effective ways to prevent suicide is by recognising warning signs, which may include talking about wanting to die or expressing a wish to sleep and never wake up, or saying they are going away and not returning. 'It can also include withdrawing from relationships and social activities, becoming isolated and unusually quiet; experiencing sudden mood swings or emotional outbursts; giving away personal belongings or engaging in self-harming behavior. 'In our 18 years of service to the communities in Sabah, Befrienders has witnessed firsthand how individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts have delayed or reconsidered their intentions after receiving emotional support. 'The care and understanding they found through our helpline played a critical role in their decision to seek help,' Ting added. She said everyone, including parents, teachers, colleagues and friends must be equipped to recognise these signs and respond with empathy, support, and guidance toward professional help. Befrienders are actively organising training sessions to raise awareness and educate the public on suicide prevention, including how to identify warning signs and offer meaningful support. An upcoming training session will take place on May 11 and May 12, where interested individuals may contact the Befrienders helplines at 016-8036945 or 088-255788, or reach out via the Befrienders Facebook page. They are also recruiting volunteers to join its helpline service and provide emotional support to those in distress. 'We invite compassionate individuals to be part of this vital work. Even if participants do not become volunteers, they will gain valuable skills to support themselves, their families, and their communities. 'The impact of suicide goes far beyond emotional grief—it also has serious economic consequences, including the loss of productive lives, increased strain on healthcare systems, and long-term burden on social and emergency services,' she said. She called for support in promoting Befrienders, enhancing community education, and assisting survivors and their families. Ting also advocated for policy development to eliminate stigma, promote mental health, and establish accessible, free mental health clinics for those in need. Employers are also encouraged to prioritise their employees' mental well-being, reduce stigma in the workplace, and offer necessary support, she added. Ting said it was vital for media practitioners - both on print and digital platforms, to practise ethical and responsible reporting on suicide-related cases as reporting should be sensitive, educational, and include information on where to seek help. She said sensational headlines, graphic descriptions, and details of suicide methods must be avoided, as they can lead to copycat incidents (the Werther Effect). 'To anyone who is struggling - you are not alone. Help is available. Hope is real. We urge you to reach out. Your life matters,' she said.
Borneo Post
07-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Befrienders: Confront suicide with compassion, collective action
KOTA KINABALU (May 7): The recent spate of suicides reported on social media, including a tragic case in Tawau, has prompted Befrienders Kota Kinabalu to issue an urgent call to action, where society must confront suicide not with silence or shame, but with compassion, urgency and a shared sense of responsibility. In a statement released by chairperson of Befrienders Kota Kinabalu cum president of Befrienders Malaysia, Jessie Ting, the organisation expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and emphasised that suicide is a preventable tragedy. 'Every life lost to suicide is one too many,' said Jessie. 'It is not a moral failure, but more often the result of untreated mental health conditions, emotional pain or overwhelming life stressors. Many who die by suicide do not wish to die. They simply want the pain to stop,' she added. Befrienders highlighted that the signs of suicidal ideation are often visible but frequently misunderstood or overlooked. Warning signs include withdrawal from social relationships, sudden mood changes, expressions of hopelessness, or even giving away belongings. By learning to recognise these signs, members of the public can play a vital role in saving lives. The organisation, which has served Sabah for 18 years, attests that emotional support can make the difference between life and death. Jessie noted that many individuals contemplating suicide have changed their minds after receiving compassionate, non-judgmental support via the Befrienders helpline. In response to the growing need for public education, Befrienders is holding a training session this weekend, on May 11 and 12, aimed at equipping individuals with skills to identify warning signs and offer meaningful support. The session is open to anyone, whether they plan to volunteer or simply wish to better support those around them. 'The skills gained can benefit not only volunteers but also families, workplaces, and communities at large. 'We are inviting everyone to be part of this vital mission,' said Jessie. Befrienders is also appealing to all sectors namely government agencies, healthcare professionals, educators and civil society to unite in addressing mental health with the seriousness it deserves. The call includes breaking stigma, increasing access to support services and advocating for policy reforms, such as the creation of free and accessible mental health clinics. The organisation further emphasised the broader implications of suicide, including economic burdens on healthcare systems and lost productivity. Jessie stressed that addressing mental health is not just a social obligation but also a critical development issue for Sabah and Malaysia as a whole. Media organisations and social media users were also urged to practise responsible reporting. Befrienders warns that graphic or sensational coverage of suicide can trigger further incidents, a phenomenon known as the Werther Effect. Instead, media should report with sensitivity and include resources for those in crisis. 'To anyone who is struggling, you are not alone. Help is available, and hope is real. 'We must act now as a community, as a state and as a nation. Together, we can save lives,' she concluded. For support or to sign up for training, contact Befrienders Kota Kinabalu at 016-8036945 or 088-255788, or visit their official Facebook page.
Daily Express
07-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Recognising warning signs can save lives: Befrienders
Published on: Wednesday, May 07, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 07, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Befrienders Kota Kinabalu expressed deep concern over recent suicide reports in Tawau and other parts of Sabah, calling for collective, compassionate efforts to address what it describes as a preventable tragedy. The NGO emphasised that suicide often stems from untreated mental health issues or emotional pain, urging the public to recognise warning signs such as withdrawal, mood swings, or talk of death. Having supported distressed individuals in Sabah for 18 years, Befrienders highlighted the life-saving power of early intervention and emotional support via their helpline. To equip the public with skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviours, Befrienders is holding a suicide prevention training on May 11 and 12, and invites volunteers or interested individuals to join. The group also called on authorities, media, and civil society to break stigma, promote mental health education, and report suicide ethically, reminding those in distress that support and hope are always within reach. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malay Mail
06-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Woman dies after fall from seventh floor of Penang shopping mall car park
KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — A local woman was found dead after allegedly falling from the seventh floor of a parking structure at a shopping mall in Bayan Lepas last Saturday. South-west District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Sazalee Adam said the 29-year-old victim, from Sungai Bakap, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a report in Sinar Harian today. He said the woman is believed to have suffered severe injuries after falling from the southern car park area of the mall. 'Police received information about the incident at 12.47pm from an auxiliary police officer on duty in the area. 'Preliminary investigations indicate that the victim is believed to have fallen from the seventh floor, with her body discovered near the mall's loading bay,' he said in a statement on Tuesday. Sazalee added that the victim's personal belongings were found inside a Honda City believed to belong to her. 'An early witness, a supermarket employee, reported seeing the woman fall from above at around 12.44pm while driving towards the loading bay. 'Investigations also revealed that the victim left her home at around 9am and last contacted her family at noon to say she intended to buy food,' he said. The victim's body was sent to the Forensics Department of Balik Pulau Hospital for a post-mortem. 'The autopsy confirmed the cause of death as multiple injuries consistent with a fall from height,' he said. The case has been classified as sudden death (SDR) and investigations are ongoing. *If you are lonely, distressed, or having negative thoughts, Befrienders offers free and confidential support 24 hours a day. A full list of Befrienders contact numbers and state operating hours is available here: There are also free hotlines for young people: Talian Kasih at 15999 (24/7); Talian BuddyBear at 1800-18-2327(BEAR)(daily 12pm-12am); Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); and Jakim's Family, Social and Community Care Centre (WhatsApp 0111-959 8214).
