Wear a plaster for suicide awareness

SINGAPORE — Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) is encouraging the public to talk about suicide by wearing a conversation starter in the form of an SOS plaster on their inner wrists.

The campaign comes amid a 260 per cent jump in the number of referrals it had received in Financial Year (FY) 2014-2015.

The suicide prevention centre said in a press release that it saw 234 cases in FY 2014-2015, where concerned families and friends had referred a loved one in crisis, or had lost someone to suicide — a significant increase from the 65 cases it saw in FY 2010-2011.

Based on statistics, suicide claims more than one life in Singapore every day, added SOS.

As part of World Suicide Prevention Week, the Wear A Plaster. End The Silence campaign works on the premise that the first step to prevent suicide is to simply talk about it.

Ms Christine Wong, executive director of SOS, said: “Plasters are usually used as a first-aid measure when people need to cover and protect a wound. When someone wears a plaster, people around them tend to ask what happened and how they are feeling. Emotional pain, however, is not always visible.”

Through the plasters, the organisation hopes to remind people to be attentive to the emotional well-being of their loved ones. “A caring person who asks ‘How are you?’ at the right time can make a difference between life and death,” said Ms Wong.

From tomorrow, supporters will be able to download a virtual plaster, which they can add to their social media profile pictures to help spread the word.

On Sept 10, SOS plasters will be given out at several locations throughout Singapore, such as MRT stations at Jurong East, Toa Payoh and Raffles Place, and at Marina Bay Financial Centre.

The public is encouraged to wear the plasters on their inner wrists, and post a photo with a heartfelt caption using the hashtag #howru.

Celebrities and personalities who have already pledged their support for the campaign include former President S R Nathan, and actresses Oon Shu An and Jayley Woo.

“As (Singapore) becomes more affluent, the number (of suicide cases) is increasing,” said Mr Nathan, who added that Singaporeans must look out for one another. For more details, visit http://sos.org.sg.