SOS (Samaritans of Singapore) is the only suicide prevention centre in Singapore. It is a secular non-profit organisation which provides 24-hour confidential emotional support to people who have difficulty coping during a crisis, who are thinking of suicide or affected by suicide.
A crisis can hit anyone at any time. The sense of hopelessness and despair at the height of a crisis can cause people to contemplate suicide as a way to escape their emotional pain.
However, people can and do recover from this difficult period, especially when there is strong support from the people around them. Some people may also need professional support to help them through a crisis.
If YOU are in some form of crisis or feeling suicidal, then contact someone and let them know about it.
If someone you know is going through a hard time, do know that you are already helping just by being there for the person! Find out more about helping someone in crisis.
News Flash
24 August 2016
A Very Special Tribute to Mr SR Nathan
The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) mourns the death of Singapore’s sixth President and Honorary Member of SOS, Mr S R Nathan.
Mr Nathan was very involved with SOS for many years from 2002, when he officiated at our agency’s relocation to Cantonment Close.
When I first joined SOS in 2008, Mr Nathan also invited me to the Istana to understand the needs of the agency, This resulted in additional funding support for our Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) service, which was close to his heart due to his own personal loss early in his life. After that, Mr Nathan took a special interest in SOS work by inviting our board, staff and volunteers to the Istana in 2007 and 2011 to show appreciation for the work we were doing. He also gave out a President’s Social Service Award posthumously to the late SOS chairman Anthony Yeo at the Istana in 2009 which was received by Mr Yeo’s son Eugene. Even after he stepped down as president of Singapore, Mr Nathan continued to officiate at an event in 2012 (Laksamania – Lunch with a Heart) to help SOS raise additional funds, and made personal donations to SOS in 2013 and 2014. He also fronted SOS’ first truly mass outreach and awareness campaign for World Suicide Prevention Day 2015.
I recall the time I met Mr Nathan when he invited me to the Istana for a personal tea reception in 2008. He was humble, kind, and compassionate. He was also a great listener as he was truly concerned about people facing a crisis, suicide attempters and survivors. He had an excellent memory and whenever I met him again at events, he would always ask about SOS work.
He will be remembered for his great contributions to the nation and also to the people.
All of us at SOS are deeply saddened by the death of a truly inspirational leader, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to Mrs Nathan and the family.
SOS is very privileged to have had Mr Nathan as our honorary member and it is with a great sense of loss and pain in our hearts that we have to say goodbye to a uniquely special person who will always be in our hearts.
Christine Wong (Ms)
Executive Director
Samaritans of Singapore
