Hope and community support essential in preventing suicide, says Sibu MP

SIBU: Hope is the most fundamental tool in preventing suicide,  says Sibu MP Oscar Ling Chai Yew.

He pointed out that when someone is going through intense pain, hope can be the lifeline that pulls them through.

“Our mission must be to create a society where hope is present everywhere—where no one feels trapped in their struggles or isolated in their suffering. This starts by normalising conversations about mental health. We must ensure that the act of asking for help is seen as a courageous and essential step, not a sign of weakness.

“To bring hope to society, we must also commit to expanding access to mental health services. It’s vital that we remove the barriers—financial, social, and geographical—that prevent people from getting the support they need.

“Every community should have accessible, affordable mental health care. The presence of resources can instill hope where there was once only despair,” he said at a launch of special programme “Creating Hope Through Action. Changing the narrative on suicide” held at Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud Chancellor Hall, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) here, Tuesday (Sept 24).

The event, jointly organised by UTS and Sibu Health Office, and sponsored by Ling was attended by about 300 participants including from government agencies, non-governmental organisations and UTS’ students.

Ling highlighted that another key to changing the narrative is the support from peers—the influence and support to give one another.

Peer support, he said,  is often the first line of defense against isolation. In moments of crisis, it is not always a professional therapist or counselor who first notices that someone is struggling; it’s often a friend, a classmate, or a coworker.

This is, why, he said, it’s essential to build communities of empathy, where to look out for one another and speak up when something feels off.

When peers foster an environment of trust and openness, they create a safety net, he said, just knowing that someone cares—that someone is willing to listen—can be enough to give someone the strength to keep going.

“We must all become advocates for our peers, checking in regularly, offering support without judgment, and being willing to hold difficult conversations,” he added.

According to him, a major barrier to preventing suicide is the stigma that surrounds mental health struggles. “Too often, people feel ashamed to talk about their feelings or to admit that they need help.”

Changing the narrative means redefining mental health as a universal concern, not a personal flaw, he said, adding everyone has mental health, just as everyone has physical health, and just like with physical health, there are times when care, treatment, and compassion are needed.

“By reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, we can empower more people to seek help early, before their pain becomes unbearable. This means challenging old stereotypes and misconceptions. It means educating our communities about mental health so that ignorance no longer breeds fear and judgment.

“In this new narrative, we must build a culture of compassion—where every person knows that their struggles are valid, and that they will be met with kindness and understanding. Compassion starts with empathy—putting ourselves in others’ shoes and recognising that we don’t always know what someone is going through.

“Compassion is about listening, offering support, and not rushing to ‘fix’ or dismiss someone’s feelings. Sometimes, just being there for someone is enough. This culture of compassion extends beyond individual relationships. It must permeate our schools, workplaces, and communities. We need environments where mental health is openly discussed and where it is okay to not be okay,” he said.

Ling also stressed on education to educate oneself and others about the signs of mental health crises and how to respond. Schools, workplaces, and communities should provide training on how to recognise and assist someone in need. Early intervention saves lives, and it starts with awareness.

He asserted that education is not just about prevention; it’s also about understanding. “By educating people on the realities of mental health and suicide, fear can be replaced with knowledge, misunderstanding with empathy, and silence with dialogue.

“We have the power to change the narrative of suicide from one of tragedy and loss to one of hope and connection. Through compassion, peer support, and education, we can create a society where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

“Every life is precious, and every person is worth fighting for. Let’s rewrite the story, one where hope is stronger than despair, where peers stand together in solidarity, and where no one feels alone in their darkest hour.

“Together, we can save lives. Together, we can bring hope,” Ling added.

Among those present were Sibu divisional health officer Dr Teh Jo Hun and UTS director of Student Development and Services Centre, Lu Yew King.