Hong Kong government faces flak over approach to student suicides
Lawmaker and social worker suggests Education Bureau approach will irritate those contemplating suicide; instead they need encouragement and empathy
“If you die, your boyfriend may be sad for a few days, but he will soon find a new girlfriend and live normally. It is not worth doing such a silly thing for him!”
That was an example suggested in an online document available to the public on the Education Bureau’s website on ways to communicate with friends who have suicidal tendencies.
The advice was found in a Chinese-language document titled “The Package on Prevention of Student Suicide (2010)” on a webpage aimed at providing resources for teachers to prevent student suicides.
The controversial example quickly drew flak from educators and social workers over how it could be dangerous for people with suicidal tendencies.
Lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun, who is also a registered social worker and associate director of the Centre for Youth Research and Practice at Baptist University, said it was taboo to “irritate” someone who may be contemplating suicide.