Resources
A collection of downloadable resources, videos, podcasts, news articles, and links to organisations working in mental health and suicide prevention.
External organisations and resources related to mental health and suicide prevention.
Malaysia
- Talian Kasih 15999 — 24/7 government helpline for abuse, family crises, and welfare support, also reachable via WhatsApp.
- Talian Heal 15555 — Malaysia’s National Mental Health Crisis Line.
- Mentari Malaysia — Ministry of Health community mental health centres for ongoing care and treatment referral.
Ongoing Support & Therapy
- Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) — includes a directory to find a therapist.
International & Educational
The resources below offer further reading on suicide prevention from international health authorities. If you’re in Malaysia and need urgent support, please use the contacts above instead.
- Befrienders Worldwide — the global network connecting Befrienders centres in over 30 countries.
- International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) — the global authority on suicide prevention, co-organiser of World Suicide Prevention Day.
- Find A Helpline — a free, verified directory of helplines in 170+ countries, useful if you or someone you know needs support outside Malaysia.
- CDC – Suicide Prevention — the US Centers for Disease Control’s overview of evidence-based suicide prevention strategies.
- NIMH – Suicide Prevention — the US National Institute of Mental Health’s research-backed guide on warning signs, risk factors, and how to help.
- NHS – Help for Suicidal Thoughts — the UK National Health Service’s plain-language guide for anyone having suicidal thoughts, or supporting someone who is.
Press mentions, letters to the editor, and articles related to Befrienders KL and mental health in Malaysia.
2017
2018
- Healing Connections: Befrienders Offer Support for Suicide Survivors — Malay Mail, 7 Aug 2018
- What Is It Like Talking to Suicidal Malaysians? We Asked the Befrienders — Cilisos, Jan 2018
2019
- Free Calls to Befrienders from Aug 1 — Malay Mail, 24 Jul 2019
- Now That Calls to Befrienders Are Free, More Reaching Out for Help — Malay Mail, 26 Aug 2019
- Working Together to Prevent Suicide — Justin Victor, Malay Mail, 11 Sept 2019
2020
- Children’s Mental Health Shouldn’t Be Overlooked — Lee Lam Thye, The Sun Daily, 21 Jun 2020
- Malaysia Urgently Needs to Address Child Mental Health Issues — The Rakyat Post, 21 Jun 2020
- Usah Abai Kesihatan Mental Kanak-Kanak — Berita Harian, 21 Jun 2020
- Time to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide — NST, 26 Jul 2020
- Rawat Individu Mahu Bunuh Diri, Bukan Hukum — Berita Harian, 31 Jul 2020
- A Friendly Voice — The Sun Daily, 10 Sept 2020
- World Suicide Prevention Day 2020: Working Together to Prevent Suicide — Befrienders KL, Malay Mail, 10 Sept 2020
- Effect of Covid-19 on Mental Health — The Sun Daily, 23 Sept 2020
- Make Mental Well-Being a Priority, Urges Befrienders — Free Malaysia Today, 4 Oct 2020
- Hampir Setengah Juta Rakyat Malaysia Alami Simptom Depresi — Berita Harian, 10 Oct 2020
2021
- Pressure Precipitated by Covid-19 Has Led Many to Attempt the Easy Way Out — The Sun Daily, 7 Jan 2021
- MCO 2.0 Can Lead to Greater Mental Toll: Here’s How to Beat It — Malay Mail, 24 Jan 2021
- Menghadapi Ketakutan Dalam Era Pandemik — Utusan Malaysia, 4 Feb 2021
- Befrienders KL Remains Steadfast in Advocating Suicide Decriminalisation — NST, 4 Apr 2021
- Imbangi Digitalisasi, Kesihatan Mental Rakyat — Berita Harian, 23 Apr 2021
- Urus Teknologi Media Tangani Risiko Penyakit Mental — Berita Harian, 20 May 2021
- The Call for Help Is Getting Louder, Says Befrienders — Free Malaysia Today, 25 Jun 2021
- Permintaan Sokongan Emosi Semakin Meningkat, Kata Befrienders — Free Malaysia Today, 25 Jun 2021
- Malaysians Rally Support for the Needy with White Flag Movement — Coconuts KL, 29 Jun 2021
2022
- Calls to Befrienders Have Doubled — NST, 14 Jul 2022
- Cegah Kes Buli Siber — Sinar Harian, 14 Aug 2022
- Dealing with a Loved One’s Death by Suicide — Malaysiakini, 10 Sept 2022
- Kesejahteraan Mental Perlu Dipupuk Sejak Kanak-Kanak — Berita Harian, 22 Oct 2022
- Cover Story: Seeking Online Safety — The Edge Markets, 12 Dec 2022
2023
- World Suicide Prevention Day: Creating Hope Through Action — NST, 9 Sept 2023
- Improving Mental Health Should Be the Responsibility of Everyone in Society — NST, 10 Oct 2023
- Masalah Mental — The Asian Parent Malaysia, 2023
2024
- Let’s Talk About Mental Health to Reduce the Stigma — The Star, 10 Sept 2024
- You Are Not Alone: Befrienders’ Kenny Lim on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Support — Tatler Asia, 10 Sept 2024
- Befrienders KL Director Shares How He Opened His Heart & Ears to Those Crying Out for Help — SAYS, 29 Sept 2024
- Suria KLCC Lancar #BeKindOnline Tangani Buli Siber — Sinar Harian, 16 Oct 2024
- Maintaining Good Mental Health in Workplace Crucial for Overall Wellbeing — Sinar Daily, 16 Oct 2024
- Gwee Jo-Ee’s ‘Courage in the Current’ Swim to Raise Awareness for Suicide Prevention — Yahoo News Malaysia, 16 Nov 2024
- Parents, Teachers and Students Urged to Watch Out for Suicide Warning Signs — Free Malaysia Today, 5 Dec 2024
2025
- Answering Our Kids’ Silent Cry for Help — The Star, 17 Feb 2025
- Recognise the Suicide Warning Signs: Befrienders — Daily Express, May 2025
- Braving the Open Sea for Mental Health Awareness — The Star, 31 Jul 2025
- Suicide Helplines Need Government Support, Say Organisations — Free Malaysia Today, 23 Aug 2025
- Swimming Against the Current for Suicide Prevention — Free Malaysia Today, 7 Sept 2025
- Attempting Suicide No Longer a Crime in Malaysia — Malay Mail, 10 Sept 2025
- We Can All Play a Role in Suicide Prevention — The Star (Letters), 10 Sept 2025
- NGO Hails Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide — theSun, 12 Sept 2025
- Suicide Among Young Men Raising Concern — theSun, 28 Nov 2025
A collection of videos on suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and personal stories.
Videos
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Breathe — a short documentary on suicide in Malaysia, covering warning signs and prevention through Befrienders KL’s “befriending” method. Co-directed by Azhar Amirulhisyam & Zulaikha Zakaria. (Published 15 Aug 2014)
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#LetsTalkAboutIt: Sokongan Emosi Befrienders — an Astro Awani feature exploring how Befrienders KL offers a listening ear for those who feel they have no one to turn to. (Published 30 May 2017)
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We Care… We Listen… — Befrienders Penang’s first short film, released in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day to raise awareness on emotional support. (Published 1 Oct 2017)
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IASP Step Closer — Step Closer: A World Suicide Prevention Day Film, themed “Working Together to Prevent Suicide,” produced by IASP for World Suicide Prevention Day. (Published 1 Sep 2020)
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AmBank National Day 2024 — Miliki Empati, Malaysia Memahami — a Merdeka/Malaysia Day short film by AmBank Group, in partnership with Befrienders KL on the power of listening and showing empathy to those around us. (Published 28 Aug 2024)
- Who’s Behind Befrienders? — Etta Chatterjee, Chairperson of Befrienders KL, shares 5 key signs someone may be suicidal, how Befrienders volunteers do their job, and why asking “why?” when someone confides in you can do more harm than good. (BFM 89.9, Published 4 May 2026)
- It’s About YOUth: Dear AI, I’m not okay — an Astro Awani panel discussion on the growing trend of young people turning to AI chatbots for emotional support when feeling overwhelmed. Publicity Director Joan Chen appeared as a panellist. (Published 28 Nov 2025)
BFM 89.9 Radio Segments
BFM 89.9 regularly features discussions on depression, suicide, and mental health in their community and health segments.
- What It’s Like To Volunteer at a Suicide Helpline — Deputy Chairperson Victor Tan talks about working the helpline amid the COVID-19 mental health crisis, and the ongoing need for more volunteers. (Published 16 Nov 2020)
- Befrienders KL: Here to Listen Without Judgement — ahead of World Mental Health Day, Befrienders KL Chairman Justin Victor discusses the organisation’s work and how the community can better support those struggling with their mental health. (Published 7 Oct 2022)
- Because Feelings Matter #44: Behind The Call With A Befriender — Etta Chatterjee, Chairperson of Befrienders KL, and Shyuan, a volunteer, discuss the emotional realities of volunteer work and how Befrienders supports callers in distress. (Published 26 Aug 2025)
- Decriminalizing Attempted Suicide A Step Forward — following Malaysia’s decriminalisation of attempted suicide on 10 September, Justin Victor, former Chairman of Befrienders KL, discusses the impact of the change and the role of new Crisis Intervention Officers. (Published 12 Sept 2025)
The following resources are available to download or view. These include booklets, media reporting guidelines, helpline information, and press statements produced by or in support of Befrienders KL.
- Centre for Independent Journalism
- The Befrienders KL