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Posed photograph of a person crouching in the corner of a staircase in the dark, to illustrate a story on how to deal with a chronically suicidal family member.
For five long years, she suffered at the hands of an abusive boyfriend.
Speaking to The New Paper, Sue (not her real name), said that she lived life in "intense fear" when she was with him.
The petite 25-year-old student said: "I had to tiptoe through my daily life so as not to spark off his temper."
She finally found the strength to leave him last year, but the scars still remain.
Even now, she cannot speak of the abuse without tearing up.
Sue met her current boyfriend not long after ending the abusive relationship and thought everything was fine until she started having flashbacks about her ex-boyfriend.
"One month into my current relationship, my boyfriend and I had just finished dinner when I somehow became completely absorbed in my own memories for a few minutes."
Overcome by emotion, Sue decided to end her life and was stopped just in time by her boyfriend.
Even though it was her first suicide attempt, she told The New Paper that she had previously toyed with the idea.
"I began thinking about committing suicide when I was 20 years old after I was abused by my ex.
"I have, all along, been extremely conscious of the fact that I had suicidal tendencies."
More frequent
She added: "I first saw a psychiatrist in 2009, but I didn't tell him my full story as I was in too much pain. I then stopped looking for help because he told me nothing was wrong and I wanted to believe him.
"But I guess he told me so as I was holding back vital information about what I went through."
But her suicidal thoughts became more frequent last year and so she decided to seek help again from the psychiatrist to cope with what she was feeling.
"I was losing sleep and could not stop throwing up after food. I was later diagnosed with clinical depression."
Sue was given medication and she told her family members about her condition. They immediately stepped in to help her.
She said that she is now recovering and even though such thoughts still come to her occasionally, she feels that they will pass.
"I have strong support from my friends and family. I would say I am in a better place now.
"Strong family ties are really important when a person has suicidal thoughts."
Suicide attempts on the rise
Suicide attempts on the rise
She is only 18 years old.
But between August 2011 and May this year, Mandy (not her real name) tried to end her life 10 times.
Eventually, the teenager was arrested and later charged in court with 10 counts of attempting suicide.
Mandy pleaded guilty to three charges and was given a year's probation last month.
District Judge Shaifuddin Saruwan gave her the sentence on the condition that she continues to seek treatment at the Institute of Mental Health and comply with all directions given by the psychiatrist.
It is, however, rare in Singapore for someone to be charged in court with attempted suicide.
Lawyer Shashi Nathan had said: "The decision to prosecute depends on a host of factors such the physiological make-up of the person, the personal background, the family situation, whether there were aggravating or extenuating circumstances that caused him or her to behave that way.
"Jailing the person may not help, but treatment would."
The police also said that whether the defendant is eventually prosecuted is dependent on investigative findings, and this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
While it is rare for people to be charged in court with attempted suicide, an increasing number of people have been arrested for committing the offence.
Last year, 992 people were arrested for attempting suicide. It's also the highest figure for the last five years.
And rescuers have been busy.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said that between 2007 and 2011, its officers were activated to an annual average of 335 rescue from height incidents.
More are also turning to agencies like Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) for help.
Last year, it received 44,053 calls, compared to 43,404 in 2008.
In line with this, SOS conducted 439 counselling sessions last year while 139 sessions were held in 2008.
Counsellors The New Paper spoke to said they are concerned about the increase in the number of suicide attempts.
They stressed that help is available for those who are suicidal.
So what could be the reasons behind this increase in the number of suicide attempts?
A spokesman for SOS, which provides emotional support and helps prevent suicides, said: "Suicide is rarely due to a single reason.
"Usually, a series of interrelated events and psychological, interpersonal and/or situational factors come into play."
He added that callers to the SOS hotline have talked about issues including relationship, social, psychological, material, physical and sexual matters.
Mr David Kan of the Family Life Centre said this increase in the number of arrests could be due to a rise in the demands of being successful and competitive in life.
Mr Kan, executive director and senior counsellor at the centre, added: "Those who attempt suicide could have set unrealistic standards for themselves to keep up with the rat race."
He added that they could also find it increasingly difficult to keep up with their professional and financial demands in today's increasingly fast-paced world.
Counsellor Bryan Choong agreed.
He said: "The pace of life is faster nowadays and life has become more demanding. Some may be overwhelmed by this need to keep up."
Mr Choong, centre manager of Oogachaga, a counselling agency which mainly deals with gay and lesbian issues, added that like SOS, the number of calls his agency receives from suicidal people has also gone up in recent years.
This means more people are now turning to experts for help.
How to help
On top of contacting agencies like SOS for advice, psychologists TNP spoke to said that one of the best things to do when dealing with a chronically suicidal family member is to listen.
Singapore Children's Society's youth services director, Dr Carol Balhetchet, said: "Ask one question and wait for the information to come. It may not come immediately, so be patient."
Agreeing, psychologist Daniel Koh of private practice Insights Mind Centre said: "A lot of times, the family doesn't understand the person and they put expectations on the victim. Let it go. Instead, listen. You don't have to talk. Just be there for them."
SOS added that those who are feeling suicidal can approach someone they trust.
They can also seek professional help from health and mental health providers as talking about their thoughts, feelings and problems can help.
Its spokesman said: "Make a list of resources, including family and friends' contact number and emergency numbers and numbers of crisis hotlines. Keep it handy and call someone whenever thoughts of suicide come again or you feel like you want to act on the impulse.
"They can get involved in life by finding new hobbies and activities."
Anyone found guilty of attempting suicide can be jailed up to a year and fined.
Number of calls handled by Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
2011: 44,053
2010: 41,079
2009: 39,956
2008: 43,404
Source: SOS
Number of counselling sessions handled by SOS
2011: 439
2010: 343
2009: 226
2008: 139
Source: SOS
Arrested
Number of people arrested for attempting suicide:
2011: 992
2010: 966
2009: 842
2008: 821
2007: 706
Charged
Number of people charged in court with attempted suicide:
2011: 6
2010: 12
2009: 9
2008: 8
2007: 11
Source: the Singapore Police Force
Helplines
Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444
Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
Care Corner Mandarin Counselling Centre: 1800-353-5800
ashaffiq@sph.com.sg
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