Relate Insights provides analysis of current mental health issues in Asia and their impact on society at every level, from local community to policy development. This will be published occasionally, and is aimed at keeping decision-makers in both the public and private sectors informed; as well as scholars, laypersons and the interested public.
The government has found a rising trend in suicide among youths in Malaysia. It is estimated that in 2019, 512 youths ended their lives by suicide (74.3% of whom were young males). Besides the immeasurable emotional toll due to suicides on families, suicides have an economic impact on communities, societies and the nation, with loss of manpower and income for families, employers and the government. This paper estimates the economic cost of youth suicide in 2019 based on the economic loss due to foregone income and the loss of potential government revenue due to foregone personal taxes. In 2019, youth suicide is estimated to cost the Malaysian economy a high price of RM346.2 million or RM676,165 per suicide. The investment in Malaysia’s economy must include an investment in the mental health of young people, including the development of effective suicide prevention strategies.
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