Opinion | How a safer Hong Kong can change the narrative on suicide

September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, a vital global call to action that unites communities worldwide – including individuals, organisations and those with lived experience – to initiate crucial conversations and reaffirm our collective role in preventing suicide.

This day is aligned with the 2024-2026 triennial theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, which urges us to challenge the stigma and misconceptions that too often silence those in need. Although this essential work continues year-round, today offers a pivotal moment to highlight these efforts, honour those we have lost and support the bereaved.

Suicide remains a pressing public health crisis. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 700,000 lives are lost to suicide globally each year. Here in Hong Kong, we face a deeply concerning trend with about 1,000 deaths by suicide annually and a rising rate in the past three years. Each number represents a life cut short and a community in mourning, a reality that underscores the profound psychological and social impact of these losses.

Estimates suggest that at least 10 people are significantly affected by each suicide case. The true scale of suffering is even greater as this figure does not account for the many people experiencing suicidal thoughts or attempts, with surveys finding around 10 per cent of young people in Hong Kong reporting suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months.

The reasons behind every suicide are invariably complex. While family and school problems are most common among teens, financial and relationship problems are more prevalent among young adults. Physical health becomes a significant concern among older adults.