This paper examines the status of youth suicides in Malaysia and provides policy recommendations for prevention. Some of the key recommendations proposed in this paper to address youth suicide in Malaysia are outlined below:

• The Ministry of Health should develop a comprehensive suicide prevention guideline specific to youths in collaboration with key stakeholders including Ministry of Education, Ministry of Human Resources, and Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, as well as non-governmental organizations.
• The National Suicide Registry should be resumed and information on age, gender, ethnicity, state, and methods of suicide should be included.
• A comprehensive needs assessment on the availability and gaps in suicide prevention and treatment services should be conducted.
• Implement regulations to limit access to means of suicide, such as toxic substances.
• Assess the accessibility and effectiveness of existing mental health services available to youths, such as counselling in educational settings.
• Awareness campaigns should equip individuals with practical and useful resources. Regular evaluations of the effectiveness of programs should also be carried out.
• Guidelines for media reporting of suicides need to be developed in close collaboration with regional and national media as well as psychosocial experts (e.g. clinical psychologists, social workers) to increase “buy in” and implementation of the guidelines.