T
Taigong Wang
Guest
Loan shark and gambling crisis calls increase
Posted: 26 July 2011 1402 hrs
SINGAPORE: The number of calls for help related to loan shark and gambling issues has increased.
This is according to the latest annual report issued by the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), which provides 24-hour counselling and emotional support for those who call its crisis hotline.
Some 2,300 of the close to 28,000 calls received by SOS last year were related to difficulties in paying off debts.
Of these calls, some 350 were related to loan sharks, about 60 per cent more than in 2009.
Some 200 calls were related to gambling problems, close to a 50 per cent increase from 2009 as well.
This upward trend is worrying as SOS said most of these callers also have a medium to high suicide risk.
They are also particularly difficult to engage because they urgently need funds to service their loans.
SOS said that where appropriate, the callers were also referred to other community resources for additional help and support.
In its report, SOS also pointed out that suicide rates in Singapore have dipped between 2009 and 2010, falling from 9.35 to 7.85 per 100,000 residents.
- CNA/cc
