Suicide has become one of the top 10 killers in Taiwan. People who committed suicide usually actively seek help from doctors the month before taking action, according to a study conducted by Taiwan's public health authorities. It also found that most people commit suicide on Mondays, Phoenix Television News reported on Tuesday.

The study, based on information of people died in the past four years, reveals that 2,000 people in Taiwan committed suicide on Mondays, much more than any other days of a week.

People who intended to commit suicide actually gave out signals by asking for help, for example, telling people around they felt sick, saw the doctors two times of those of normal people, on the month before putting their lives to an end, according to the study findings.

Mental problem is also part of the cause. About 98 percent of people who committed suicide were mentally ill. For those aged 65 or above, most of them were suffering from respiratory diseases.

Depression is another main reason for suicides and chronic insomnia can lead to depression. In Taiwan, 25 percent of its population suffers from sleeplessness.

The public health authorities urge people to be careful about their relatives and friends because consolation is the best precaution against suicides.

(China Daily July 13, 2005)