A Weekly Echo Advertorial
SHAH ALAM, Aug 25 – A group of women braved a heavy rain in Sri Muda here last Saturday to attend a community empowerment programme that tackled the topic of suicide.
While the heavy rain went on outside a classroom within the complex of the Maha Marriaman Temple here, a total of 40 Indian women from Sri Muda and the nearby areas listened attentively as the organisers and speakers took them through a two-hour programme aimed at creating awareness on suicide.
Speaking to Weekly Echo, joint coordinator of the event, Shanta Venu, said the programme “Creating Awareness To Prevent Suicides”, an initiative of the Green Ribbon Group under the auspices of Princess Tengku Puteri Raja Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan Al-Sultan Abdullah, was supported by Kota Kemuning Assemblyman Ganabatirao Veraman’s wife, Buvaneswary, a member of the Perkawanis (Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Amal Wanita Selangor).
“We had invited women in the Sri Muda areas to participate in this event, which will be the first among other community programmes that the Kota Kemuning assemblyman’s office will be conducting as part of its efforts to empower women in various areas.
“Suicide rate is quite high among Indians. While the factors vary from case to case, depression, relationship problems, domestic and financial problems are among reasons for suicide cases. The programme is aimed at creating awareness on the kind of help available for potential suicide cases and how a community member can help another person who might be facing issues,” she said.
The two-hour talk, was conducted by trainer Mala in collaboration with the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA).
Dr Praveena Rajendra, a committee member of the MMHA and joint coordinator of the event, said she was happy with the quick response the Kota Kemuning Adun office had given to organising the event.
She said the mental health programme, which is available in English, Malay, Chinese, was conducted in the Tamil language this time to suit the participants’ need.
“Suicidal tendencies is high among the Indian community in Malaysia,” she said, citing a 2013 report.
While the reasons vary in suicide cases, this programme is aimed at raising awareness among the Indian community on the subject of suicide and what kind of assistance is available to those suffering from mental health issues such as depression and stress.
Those attending the programme, would be also gaining information that will help them should they want to reach out to people facing stress, depression and point them towards the help available to them.
–WE