This is mainly due to the effects of Covid-19, said health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said in a statement that police reported 638 suicide cases as of July, which is more than double the 262 cases during the same period last year.

According to Noor Hisham, the total number of suicide cases reported in 2020 was 631, while 609 cases were reported in 2019.

Noor Hisham also said the Covid-19 pandemic had become one of the main factors impacting mental health.

He said the effects of the pandemic that can cause excessive stress included loss of employment or source of income, and isolation from family and friends.

“This can have an impact on people who have a high risk of having mental health problems such as depression.

“If the depression is not discovered and treated early, there is a risk it can lead to suicidal behaviour.”

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