Media Statement by YB Senator Lim Hui Ying (25 May 2022 I George Town, Penang):
Everyone plays a role to reduce and prevent suicide
Recent cases of people seeking to end their lives by jumping off the Penang Bridge is both worrying and disheartening.
This should be a concern for us all as life is precious and irreplaceable. The despair that leads struggling individuals to attempt suicide must be overcome by all segments in our society.
The federal and state governments, the private sector, the non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and grassroot groups should work alongside to inspire hope and provide a safety social net to prevent suicide.
There are at least three important aspects that the society as a whole should look into.
First, build up a strong network of support for individuals and families through grassroot groups led by Majlis Pengurusan Komuniti Kampung, Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Wanita dan Keluarga, and Jawatankuasa Belia Pulau Pinang at each residential area.
The focus will be to address and support those who are struggling. For example, target groups include those whose health or livelihood have been severely impacted by the pandemic, or those whose families are going through emotional or financial hardship.
Second, mobilise local charity bodies, religious communities, or NGOs to reach out and provide assistance to those in need. This can be in the form of counselling, support groups or fellowship, and the provision of financial or material aid.
Third, empower welfare agencies under the federal and state governments to provide elaborate programs that help to rebuild psychological and social resilience of those who are struggling.
Huge signboards with relevant messages and contact numbers should be clearly visible at the entrance of Penang Bridge to intercept and discourage suicidal thoughts.
These three approaches will be the three lines of defence against despair.
Other additional precautions that should also be considered is the establishment of a “suicide prevention squad” comprising of trained voluntary motorcyclists who will take turn to monitor and stop individuals from leaping off the Penang Bridge.
Authorities such as the police, the marine department, and the fire department should increase their hourly patrol at the sea along the bridge.
We will need everyone to work together to develop strong resilience that is inspired by hope in order to defeat the gloominess of despair.
LIM HUI YING
国会上议员林慧英媒体文告 (2022年5月25日 | 槟州乔治市):
减少和预防自杀，人人有责
近来多宗试图从槟城大桥跳海自尽的案例既令人担忧又令人沮丧。
人命无价且不可取代，这应该是我们所有人都关心的问题。我们社会各阶层都必须为协助试图自杀者走出挣扎绝望出一份力。
联邦和州政府、私人界、非政府组织和基层组织应携手合作，给予人们希望并提供社会安全网，防止人们自杀。
我们的社会至少应该关注三个重要方面。
首先，通过由乡村社区管理委员会（Majlis Pengurusan Komuniti Kampung, MPKK）、妇女及家庭发展委员会（Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Wanita dan Keluarga, JPWK）及槟州青年委员会（Jawatankuasa Belia Pulau Pinang ，JBPP）所领导的草根组织，在每个社区为个人和家庭提供强大的援助网络。
这将着重在于找出并支持那些正在挣扎求生的人。举例而言，目标群体应包括健康或生计受到疫情严重影响的人，或者家庭正在经历情感或经济困难的人。
第二，动员当地慈善机构、宗教团体或非政府组织伸出援手，为有需要的人提供帮助。这可以是咨询、支援小组或互助会，或提供经济或物质援助。
第三，授权联邦和州政府麾下的福利机构提供精心设计的计划，以帮助身处困境中的人们重建心理和社会复原能力。
在槟城大桥入口处应设立清晰可见，拥有相关信息和联系电话的巨大招牌，以阻止人们的自杀念头。
这三种方法将成为对抗自杀念头的三道防线。
此外，还可考虑建立一个由训练有素的志愿摩托车手组成的“自杀预防小组”，让他们轮流监测和阻止人们试图在槟城大桥自尽。
公安、海事、消防等部门也应该加强大桥海域一带的每小时巡查力度。
我们将需要每个人共同努力，建立起带给人们希望且具有韧性的社会，以战胜令人绝望的自杀念头。
林慧英