September 10, 2026

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed annually on 10 September with the aim of rallying organisations, governments, and the public around the message that suicide is preventable. The triennial theme from 2024 to 2026, ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides. Suicide affects everyone, residents and non-residents alike. With one of the largest non-resident populations globally, Singapore faces pressing concerns about the mental well-being of its foreign workers.  

In ‘Dying in a foreign land: A study of completed suicides among foreign workers in Singapore’ (Transcultural Psychiatry, 2021), Associate Professor Marcus Yu Lung Chiu (City University of Hong Kong), Associate Professor Corinne Ghoh (NUS Social Work), Visiting Research Professor Christine Wong (NUS Social Work), and Kang Li Wong (Caritas Singapore) investigated the profiles and circumstances surrounding suicides among non-resident workers from January 2011 to December 2014.  

Drawing on data from coroner’s records and suicide notes, the researchers conducted a thematic analysis of 30 non-resident suicide notes and identified four broad themes as suspected triggers of suicide: relationship difficulties, physical and mental health concerns, employment and study-related stress, and financial issues. While these themes are not definitive causes of suicide, they reflect recurring areas of distress experienced by non-resident workers in Singapore. 

A significant number of suicide notes mentioned unfulfilled expectations in relationships, either romantic or interpersonal, and health issues that affected the individual’s ability to work. Employment stress was also a common factor, often exacerbated by workplace dynamics, such as abusive supervisors or unmet expectations in job performance. Financial stress was similarly a key theme, with some individuals noting difficulties with debt or an inability to afford medical care following work-related injuries. Crucially, these themes highlight the confluence of personal struggles and systemic factors that negatively affect the mental health of migrant workers. 

Changing the narrative on suicide involves shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support. Addressing the unique needs of vulnerable groups, such as non-resident workers, is essential for an effective and compassionate suicide prevention strategy.  

Read the article here.