One in three primary school students in Hong Kong at risk of suicide
Some 31 per cent of primary school pupils and 40 per cent of secondary school students polled were found to be ‘vulnerable’
One-third of primary school students and 40 per cent of Form One students are at risk of committing suicide from emotional distress brought on by changes in study environments and social circles, a report has shown.
The results prompted social organisations to urge youngsters to immediately seek help from parents and teachers if they feel depressed or overstressed. Parents were also advised to show greater care and concern for the struggles of their children.
The calls came as the Hong Kong Jockey Club joined hands with community organisation Caritas and volunteer agency Samaritan Befrienders to roll out three suicide prevention programmes, expected to benefit 8,000 students at 80 schools over the next three years, with 500 sessions of counselling for needy students and parents.
The survey was jointly conducted by Caritas and City University’s department of applied social sciences in September and October last year.
A total of 913 students were polled, of whom 449 were Primary Five and Six students from two schools, and 464 were Form One students from four schools.