By:
• Sao Phal Niseiy

• September 10, 2024 , 6:30 PM

Globally, there are more than 7,00,000 people who commit suicide every year, according to the World Health Organization. Among people aged between 15 and 29, committing suicide has become the third largest cause of death.

Cambodia has been dealing with increasing suicide rates in recent years, highlighting a looming public health crisis that demands immediate attention and intervention. The trend will slowly emerge as Cambodia’s public health crisis if no strong efforts are taken.

It may not be difficult to understand this trend of suicide. Rapid societal change and increasing economic pressure are taking a toll on Cambodians of all ages. The change adversely impacts individuals, commonly seen through lack of exercise, poor diet, lack of resilience and coping skills, and excessive use of social media. Growing individualistic traits among our people also lead to a lack of communication and conversation among them, even those with close connections like family and friends.

Such a condition makes it more challenging for them to maintain their self-esteem and mental states on some occasions, raising the chance of mental breakdown and depression—one of the leading causes of suicide. Most importantly, the dark history of genocide has made Cambodians more vulnerable to mental distress, as they are experiencing inevitable intergenerational post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

When it comes to tackling suicide, there has been a consensus that changing existing cultural perceptions as well as narratives on suicide can contribute significantly. Like other countries, explicit or implicit victim-blaming culture—the acts of holding victims responsible for the acts perpetrated against them. This leads people to perceive those committing suicide as weak and selfish.

Nevertheless, our efforts to alter such perceptions and narratives are critical in providing better space for those affected. Fostering honest conversation, open discussion, and mental support could help change the culture of silence and eliminate triage.

It might not be the best solution to fully cure this public health crisis. Yet, we need to recognise that open and honest conversations among our people on suicide and suicidal behavior are crucial to prevention efforts. This, if carried out sustainably on a large scale through amplifying knowledge on suicide, will make a huge difference in reducing suicide attempts and the number of suicide cases.

Moreover, we need to try to change any cultural perception that holds us back or harms us, like blaming suicide victims, being aware of our actions and avoiding doing anything considered victim-blaming if we do not want to contribute to the issue.

Effectively breaking these detrimental aspects of cultural perception requires constant action to educate and raise awareness. Indeed, to do so will require acknowledgment and attention from not just us, ordinary citizens, but also the government and relevant stakeholders with the power to forge policy and influence to change the masses and the resources to sustain the effort.

I cannot end this without emphasising the importance of having open conversations with each other, not only about issues like suicide but also about personal matters and other problems that may be too much for someone to handle on their own. Many people want to feel heard through active listening. If we want to make a difference, it is not about doing big things and achieving big results. Nevertheless, what we can do is learn to be active listeners and offer advice when we can.

Moreover, it is vital to normalise seeking support and counselling practices to address mental health issues. In the Cambodian context, there have been many barriers to seeking mental health support. These barriers range from stigma and misconceptions to financial burdens and a lack of psychological experts compared to the number of people who may need the service.

While we sometimes feel insecure about saying that we need mental health support as we fear being judged, we also have difficulties finding a place to receive such a service. These conditions, combined with inadequate psychological councillors and facilities that provide counselling services, limit its ability to respond to the needs of people in the city and those at the grassroots. Given the increase in the number of suicide cases, Cambodia needs to reconsider its priorities in mental health and well-being and act fast. However, whether this becomes a policy priority remains to be seen.

All in all, as we observe World Suicide Prevention Day today, we might have taken the time to learn and reflect on our efforts to address the issues of suicide and mental health. This is when we can identify areas of improvement and develop strategies to empower ourselves and others to make a positive impact in the field of mental health, ultimately preventing suicide. Perhaps the most critical task we carry now is to alter the discourse surrounding suicide and recognise our capacity to offer crucial support to those in need. Together, we can work towards achieving these goals.