The Ministry for Health and Welfare held an event today to promote efforts to
prevent suicide.

According to the ministry, suicide has been one of the 10 top causes of
mortality in Taiwan for the past two years running.

The ministry noted that nearly 9 in 10 Taiwanese are afraid to talk about
suicide with friends and family members who have suicidal thoughts.

Huang Min-wei, the director of the National Suicide Prevention Center, added
that there is low awareness of the three recommended steps for talking to
people who are susceptible to suicidal ideation.

Those steps are: "Ask, Respond and Refer."

Huang said only 18% of so-called gatekeepers are aware of the technique.

Huang says that more than 85% of 57,000 people participating in a program to
help people at risk were between 18 and 45 years old, and 25% of those
interviewed were referred to mental health resources.

The ministry maintains a Care Hotline. If you're having suicidal thoughts,
dial 1-9-2-5.

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