By Bryna Sim

HE WAS a fit professional diver who hit the bottle after his wife walked out on him eight years ago.

On Monday, Mr John Narayanasamy, who was in his 50s, fell to his death from the seventh floor of his HDB flat.

While police investigations are still ongoing, those who knew him claimed he was facing relationship and financial problems.

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"He never got over his wife's departure and had no money to pay for his housing loan," said his longtime friend and freelance counsellor Mala Ramu, 40.

There have been a spate of what are believed to be suicides over the last one month here. Work stress, relationship problems and financial issues are just some of the reasons cited.

Psychologists told The New Paper that there has also been a spike in the number of depression-related cases.

Alarming

However, what alarms them is that their patients are getting younger.

Said Mr Daniel Koh, psychologist with Insights Mind Centre: "I used to see mainly adults, but now I see more young people and children wanting help for depression."

Ms Vanessa von Auer, clinic director and psychologist with VA Psychology Centre, said it's worrying to see that the increasing number of youngsters who have depression also view "death as the only way to achieve peace".

According to Dr Danny Ng, a clinical psychologist with Raffles Hospital, depression and suicide are "strong bedfellows".

He felt that suicide victims often face a lack of "support structures".

"These individuals feel that there is no one to ride out the storm with them," said Dr Ng. So what can be done to help those who entertain such fatalistic thoughts?

Mr Koh feels that friends and family members have to be observant and "keep a look out if anything is amiss" with individuals who become negative, start winding down their businesses, or who start to give things away.

He said if anyone talks about killing themselves, you should never think he or she is saying it for fun.

"Take precautions to help the person before something terrible happens."

This is something Mrs Mala regrets having not paid attention to.

According to her, Mr Narayanasamy had mentioned suicide before. But she thought he was drunk and talking nonsense.

Ms von Auer also suggested that those who have suicidal tendencies should seek assistance from psychologists, psychiatrists, or counsellors.

"Many a time, suicidal people need to know that others care for them, support them, and are willing to see them through," she said.

Dr Ng had more personal advice for those contemplating suicide.

"Life is precious. There's always a tomorrow. Have hope that things will not remain bad forever," he said.

He added that one should never contemplate suicide because it is an irreversible act that leaves no room for regrets.

"There's no 'oops, I'm sorry', or 'oops, I made a mistake' when it comes to suicide," he added.

This article was first published in The New Paper.