OC and SOS Present... Better Dead than Queer? (Dec 1)

Better Dead than Queer?

In Singapore, there is at least one suicide a day. At least one teenager dies by suicide every month. For every person who dies by suicide, it is estimated that another 5 to 10 people would have attempted and lived.

How many of them are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or questioning? We may never know. But there is strong international evidence to show that GLBTQ people are at greater risk than their heterosexual counterparts to attempt or die by suicide.

Come find out more about what you can do to help, whether it is for yourself, for a friend, a loved one or even a family member.

Date: 1 December 2007
Time: 4.30pm to 6.30pm
Venue: Pelangi Pride Centre @ Bianco, above Mox Bar
Speaker: Leow Yong Fatt

Pre-registration at contact@oogachaga.com

About the speaker
Leow Yong Fatt, Yangfa is a trained social worker who has worked in the social services sector since 1999. He is currently a full-time staff with Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), and in addition to recruiting and training volunteers for the 24-hr hotline, he also has experience working with suicidal clients & suicide survivors, as well as conducting talks and workshops on suicide awareness, prevention and intervention for school students & professionals from MOE, SMRT, Singapore Police Force, Civil Defence, Community Development Councils & other statutory & voluntary organisations. He graduated with a Bachelors (Honours) degree in Social Policy, with a graduate diploma in Social Work.

About Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
SOS was established on 1 December 1969. It is a secular, non-profit organisation which aims to prevent suicide by providing emotional support and befriending to those are in despair, distressed and feeling discouraged. Their main services are:

24 hour Hotline
Face-to-face Counselling Sessions
Emergency Squad
Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS)
Healing Bridge - Support Group for Survivors of Suicide
E-mail Befriending
Community Education

For more information, please visit www.samaritans.org.sg