Kuala lumpur: The media plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding of suicide and mental health, and ethical reporting can save lives, said Befrienders Penang chairman Saras Pillay. She emphasized that insensitive media coverage can have a profound impact on vulnerable individuals, while ethical and responsible reporting can inspire hope and encourage help-seeking behavior.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saras Pillay highlighted the importance of ethical reporting at the Mental Health Matters forum held in conjunction with World Mental Health Day 2025 at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). She stated, "Every article, every headline, and every word has the power to influence lives. We are not asking the media to avoid difficult topics, but to approach them with care, compassion, and responsibility." The event, jointly organized with USM, featured a forum titled 'Ethical Suicide Reporting Can Save Lives,' with notable attendees including Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen and USM deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Azlan Amran.
Saras reported that between January 2024 and September 2025, Befrienders Penang received 15,602 distress calls, primarily from individuals aged over 60 and between 41 and 50, with an increasing trend among younger callers. She emphasized that these calls are a reminder of the silent struggles many face, reaffirming Befrienders' commitment to providing a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space for anyone feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or alone.
She stressed that suicide is a public health issue, not merely a story to be reported. Ethical reporting can educate the public, reduce stigma, and promote healing. "When someone in a dark place finishes reading an article, they should feel a sense of connection and hope, not deeper isolation. They should know where to turn for help," she noted.
Saras Pillay called on media professionals, content creators, and the public to report on suicide with empathy and responsibility. This approach can help break the stigma and encourage open discussions about mental health. She concluded, "Today's forum is more than a discussion. It is a call to action. Whether we are policymakers, mental health professionals, educators, volunteers, members of the media, or concerned members of the public, we all have a role to play in reducing stigma, improving access to care, and creating a society where it is safe for anyone to say, 'I am not okay.'"