A 30-year-old man was apprehended by the police under the Mental Health Act on Sunday (23 Aug) afternoon after he locked himself in his room.
Footage of the incident posted on Facebook showed rescuers rappelling down the side of his block in Woodlands to get to him.
Source: Sheryle O. Oro on Facebook
In the clip, nets were deployed before at least two rescuers rappelled from a unit two floors above the man’s unit.
They were seen hanging outside an open window of a flat on the eighth floor.
Source: Sheryle O. Oro on Facebook
At the foot of the block, a safety life air pack was being set up.
Source: Sheryle O. Oro on Facebook
Several police vehicles, officers and an ambulance were at the scene.
Source: Sheryle O. Oro on Facebook
Also spotted was a truck from the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF’s) Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART).
Source: Sheryle O. Oro on Facebook
In response to queries from MS News, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said it received a call for assistance at about 3.55pm on 23 Aug.
Police officers arrived at Block 537 Woodlands Drive 16 and found that a 30-year-old man had locked himself in his room.
Officers from SPF’s Special Operations Command, Crisis Negotiation Unit and SCDF responded after they assessed that the man might pose a danger to himself.
Source: Sheryle O. Oro on Facebook
SCDF, which was alerted at the same time, told MS News that it deployed a safety life air pack at the location as a precautionary measure.
DART rescuers were also on standby.
Source: Sheryle O. Oro on Facebook
Police managed to gain entry into the man’s room at about 5.45pm, almost two hours after being alerted.
He was conveyed to Woodlands Hospital in a conscious state.
He was subsequently apprehended under Section 7(1) of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008, which states that the police can apprehend anyone believed to be a danger to themselves or others.
In July, the Samaritans of Singapore said there were a total of 441 suicide deaths in 2024, with a 50% increase among adults aged 30 to 39.
Suicide is also the second leading cause of death among this age group.
65.8% of the deceased individuals were male.
Here are some helplines available for those struggling with mental health issues:
Also read: Man who sat on ledge of building in Commonwealth rescued & apprehended under Mental Health Act
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Featured image adapted from Sheryle O. Oro on Facebook.