Past Events
16Nov2021

Staying Alive: Understanding Suicide and how the Pandemic has Affected Suicide Risks

Date: 16 November 2021, Tuesday
Time: 3.00pm – 4.30pm
Venue: LIVE on Facebook (@Penanginstitute) & YouTube (Penang Institute)
NOTE: No registration is required to view this livestream

About the Talk

Suicide is a public health issue that reveals the level of desperation experienced by individuals in society. The repercussions of a suicide case can be far-reaching, especially for those close to the person. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and the social detriments and economic stress that its lockdowns bring, suicide cases have surged globally; Malaysia is not exempted. A total of 468 suicides were reported in the first 5 months of 2021 in Malaysia, and it is a well-known fact that such figures always suffer from underreporting. This webinar discusses the conditions surrounding these tragedies, and the stigma surrounding suicides and mental health issues.

About the Speaker

Dr. Laavanya Vijaya Kumar, Psychiatrist, Penang General Hospital

Dr. Laavanya Vijaya Kumar is a psychiatrist practising at Penang General Hospital. She completed her medical degree at Melaka Manipal Medical College and obtained her postgraduate certification, MRCPsych from the Royal College of Psychiatrist. She has experience with treating a myriad of psychiatric disorders besides being a strong advocate of mental health.

EVENT RECAP

Timestamp

-1.23.09 : -1.19.34 – Introduction & welcoming remarks

-1.19.33 : -43.33 – Presentation by Dr. Laavanya

-43.32 : 0 – Discussion and Q&A