Weekly News Roundup July 3 – 6, 2023

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Let’s talk about men’s suicide prevention – Penticton Herald
July 5, 2023
Buddy Up Month was June 2023, and people were invited to participate in the June Challenge, taking part in activities that promote mental well being and connection. The Buddy Up Campaign, started in 2020, focuses on men’s suicide prevention. Seth McVeity, Centre for Suicide Prevention’s Client Relations Coordinator, says, “Men are often socialized not to talk about their emotions, and not to seek help, for fear of being ‘weak.’ Men also tend to be more socially isolated than women. That’s why the Buddy Up campaign promotes authentic conversations among men and their buddies and focuses on help-offering behaviour.” McVeity says people are encouraged to participate all year-round in the campaign: “Buddy Up is also a year-round campaign and Buddy Up Month is just one opportunity for people to participate. We encourage people and organizations to sign up as Champions and participate throughout the year.”

Hong Kong-born singer Coco Lee dies by suicide aged 48, siblings confirm – Guardian
July 5, 2023
Coco Lee, 48, a singer/songwriter born in Hong Kong, died by suicide last week. Lee experienced depression and sisters Carol and Nancy said that in recent months, her depression had worsened. “Although Coco sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her,” read a statement written by her sisters. Lee had a 30-year career as a singer, and voiced Fu Mulan in the Mandarin version of Disney’s Mulan. She was the first Chinese American to perform at the Oscars. “Coco is also known to have worked tirelessly to open up a new world for Chinese singers in the international music scene, and she went all out to shine for the Chinese,” her sisters said in their statement.

‘Social emergency’: Why is Spain’s suicide rate at a record high? – Euro News
July 4, 2023
**Content warning – Use of the word ‘commit’** In 2022, Spain saw its highest suicide rates since the country began tracking its numbers. More than 50% of those who died were over 40 years old. “It is a real social emergency, reversing the trend should be a matter of state,” said Andoni Anseán, president of the Spanish Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In May 2022, Spain launched its first suicide prevention helpline, which has received nearly 15,000 calls so far. Overall, however, Spain has a lower suicide rate than many European and western countries – their rate is 8.4 per 100,000 compared to, for example, 11 per 100,000 in Scandinavian countries. This article goes on to highlight the suicide prevention efforts in Hungary, which had the highest suicide rate in the world until 1992 when rates began to stabilize. In 2021, the rate was half of what it was in 2000. More suicide prevention helplines and greater access to psychologists are two of the measures one study found to be especially useful in affecting the rates.

Wiltshire dad writes opera to process son’s suicide – BBC
July 4, 2023
Nigel Linacre lost son George Linacre, 32, to suicide in 2021. One way Linacre has been processing his grief is by writing an opera, ‘Grief Opera’, which debuted July 3 in Bristol, England. “George was a beautiful boy. I want something good to come from our son’s death,” he said. Linacre adds, “If it helps people work with their grief better, that is something. But more if someone will think again about the truth that there is always a way forward, even though they may not see it, and it is always possible to ask for help that is something else.”

Suicides in Singapore rise to 22-year high, reflecting ‘unseen mental distress’ – Japan Times
July 2, 2023
Singapore’s suicide rate has risen more than 25% in the past year to the highest it’s been in 20 years. Former psychiatrist and mental health consultant Jared Ng said, “Seeing the unprecedented rise in suicide numbers in Singapore is profoundly heartbreaking. This increase paints a picture of the unseen mental distress permeating our society, especially amongst our youths and the elderly. It is crucial that we remain vigilant to the pressing issues that continue to heavily impact mental health, such as social isolation and loneliness.” Singapore has a rapidly aging population, and suicide rates among those 10-29 and 70-79 were particularly concerning, according to the article.