In a space of a week at the end of March, there were three suicides in just four days in Phuket, which include a 28-year-old woman on March 27, a 33-year-old man on March 29, and a 42-year-old man on March 30.
One case that especially shook the island was when 21-year-old British tourist Liam Colven shot himself to death at Thalang shooting range earlier this month. The taxi driver who drove from his hotel to the range said he showed no sign of stress in the taxi, but that he did hear him argue with someone before he got into the vehicle, which goes back to the first question: were there any recognisable signs?
When news broke that co-pilot Andreas Lubitz of Germanwings Flight 4U 9525 appeared to have deliberately crashed the plane into the French Alps, it shook the world. So much so that people are now demanding to know why he was allowed to fly the plane after it came out on Monday (March 30) that he had suffered from suicidal tendencies several years ago.
Indeed it is essential that we don’t, however, allow what is said about one individual to shape the way in which we regard people who go through episodes of mental health problems. Commenting on the Germanwings incident, UK Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said he did not want to see people shut out of work because of mental health problems, but that it was for employers to decide what requirements they ask of employees.
Finally, news of Robin William’s death to apparent suicide last year, was said to be a result of severe depression. It would be difficult to think that such a hilarious, soft-hearted human, was the subject of depression, and it really does pose the question of how someone may appear on the outside. Is it a case of addressing the illness more publicly? Or simply reiterate the importance of kindness?
What is certain is that more needs to be done to help those who are depressed and help them feel that their problems are not isolated.
If you or anyone you know is feeling depressed or is in need of mental health services, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand at their 24-hour hotline 02-713-6791/6793.