SUICIDES

Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Health and Home Affairs the total number of suicides and attempted suicides for each of the years 1972 and 1973 and the breakdown figures according to sex and the following age groups (i) up to 20 years; (ii) from 21 to 30 years; (iii) from 31 to 40 years; (iv) from 41 to 50 years; and (v) over 50 years.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: In 1972 there were a total of 154 suicides in Singapore of which 100 were males and 54 females. This number has decreased to 143 in 1973 with 87 males and 56 females. The suicide rates per 100.000 population for 1972 and 1973 work out to be 7.2 and 6.5 respectively.* (*The suicide rate per annum per 100,000 population (1966) for England and Wales was 10.4; Australia, 14.1; USA, 10.9; Japan 15.2 and Switzerland 20.1.)

In 1972, 28 attempted suicides were reported to the Police of which 14 were made by males and 14 by females. In 1973, the number of attempted suicides dropped to 22 of which 12 were males and 10 were females.

A breakdown of these figures according to the sex and age group is given 19 in the Tables+ attached. (+See cols. 323-4.) Table I - Suicide by Sex and Age-Group 1972-1973(Cols 323-324)

The hon. Member may wish to be informed that the classification of a suicide by the Police is only made after investigations revealed that there is no suspicion of any foul play and that this verdict is confirmed at the Coroner's Inquiry. Cases of attempted suicides are recorded by the Police when the victims escape death and when it is established that they have made the attempt to take their lives. Table I - Suicide by Sex and Age-Group 1972-1973(Cols 323-324)