News of the tragic death of a young 13-year-old girl who jumped to her death in Kuen Cheng High School recently shocked the nation. Amongst statements and reactions from grieving parents, the authorities and those who knew her, this teaches us an important lesson - that we never really know what someone is going through inside.
This tragic death strikes a nerve in our hearts, likely because many of us has known what it's like to be stressed and nervous at school when we don't do well. While the young girls' parents had never put any academic stress on her, there's bound to be stress formed from peer pressure and the personal need to succeed. At such a young age of 13, where she had just started secondary school, doing something drastic seems to be a common method that teenagers, including myself once, tend to do. While adults may see it as childish play, it is often a call for help because they do not know of or have other outlets to express their distress.
There is no right nor wrong - there's only the aftermath and prevention. Of course, prevention is the best choice, and it always begins with us. Reach out to those around you and check in with them often if they're doing alright - you never truly know when someone is holding the pain in and at the brink of doing something unimaginable. Based on personal experience, checking in with others have saved them often before. You don't need to provide solutions to their life problems if you don't have any, to even have a listening ear and an empathetic friend in times of need itself can save a life too. Loneliness pushes people to do drastic things, and it doesn't cost us anything to be caring, loving and empathetic to those around us.
However, if someone you've checked in with is in dire need of professional help, there are always resources available in the form of psychiatrists, counsellors, mental health programs. If you feel that you are unable to truly help someone, kindly support them in receiving the relevant help they need. Here's a list of mental health helplines shared by The Rakyat Post if you're unsure where to start:
Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service
Tel: 03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392
Talian Kasih
Tel: 15999 or Whatsapp 019-2615999
Befrienders KL
Tel: 03-7627 2929
Talian Buddy Bear (For children, toll-free, 6pm-12am)
Tel: 1800-18-BEAR or 1800-18-2327
FB Messenger: buddybear.humankind
MySejahtera Digital Healthcare
In the app, click on ‘MyMinda.’
Always remember, a “Hey, wanted to check in on how you've been doing lately?” text message might just save a life today. Be that person who sends the text.
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