A deeply troubling incident has unfolded in Singapore involving a 28-year-old man who allegedly attempted to harm himself and his five-year-old son following unemployment and subsequent addiction to etomidate-laced vaping devices. The case underscores mounting concerns about mental health support and substance abuse within the Lion City.
The man’s mother, known only as Wang and aged 58, disclosed to Shin Min Daily News that her son had been employed as a technician before losing his job in June last year. The retrenchment created overwhelming financial burdens, particularly as he needed to service car loan payments whilst supporting his young child.
Wang explained that a friend introduced her son to vaping products, suggesting they would help with sleep difficulties. What initially appeared to be a sleep aid quickly transformed into a severe addiction to Kpods containing the dangerous substance etomidate.
Mounting Financial Stress and Marriage Breakdown
The unemployment crisis placed tremendous strain on the family’s budget, resulting in constant arguments between the man and his wife regarding financial matters. Wang revealed that their marriage deteriorated rapidly, with divorce proceedings currently in progress.
Although he found new employment two months after his initial job loss, the man struggled to adapt to night shift schedules. His difficulty sleeping during daylight hours prompted increased Kpod consumption, reportedly using four to five units daily costing approximately S$85 each.
The substance dependency began severely impacting his behaviour, causing emotional volatility, balance problems, and self-destructive episodes including repeatedly banging his head against walls.
Seek help
When a person needs mental care, it is important to be supportive and understanding. Mental health issues can be difficult to understand and can be overwhelming for both the person needing help and their friends and family.
The first and most important step is to reach out and provide a listening ear. It can be difficult for someone to open up about their mental health issues, so providing a safe and non-judgmental environment is essential. It is important to be patient, allow them to take their time, and show them that they are not alone.
If you are someone or know someone that is in need of help you can call the following numbers for assistance:
Tinkle Friend Helpline (for primary school-aged children): 1800-274-4788
Samaritans of Singapore (24 hrs): 1800-221-4444
Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
Institute of Mental Health Mobile Crisis Service (24 hrs): 6389-2222
National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868
Image Source: Shin Min Daily News