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Social isolation, financial worries and difficulty in constantly adapting to changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic are some possible reasons that the number of reported suicide deaths among those aged 60 and above has hit a 29-year high.
Latest figures from the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) showed there were 154 suicide deaths in this age group last year, a 26 per cent increase from 2019.
The figure is the highest for this age group since 1991, the year SOS started tracking suicide statistics.
SOS chief executive Gasper Tan said: Covid-19 has severely affected the nation s economy, lifestyle and mental health. We are extremely worried about how our elderly are coping during this public health crisis.
SINGAPORE - A total of 452 suicides were reported in Singapore last year, the highest figure since 2012.
In a statement on Thursday (July 8), non-profit suicide prevention centre Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) said this was a 13 per cent increase from 2019 s 400 cases.
It added that the increase in suicide deaths was observed across all age groups. In particular, the number of suicide deaths among the elderly - aged 60 and above - hit 154, the highest recorded figure among this age group since 1991 and a 26 per cent increase from 2019.
SOS chief executive Gasper Tan said: Covid-19 has severely affected the nation s economy, lifestyle and mental health. We are extremely worried about how our elderly are coping during this public health crisis.
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The Straits Times
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