I AM writing on behalf on the Samaritans' Suicide Prevention Hotline Service which has been established in Hong Kong for more than 20 years.
The Samaritans operate a 24-hour hotline (tel. 2896 0000). Twenty per cent of our volunteers speak Cantonese. We can also take calls in many European and other Asian languages.
Recently Befrienders International, our world-wide parent organisation, started a new service in Cantonese (tel. 2382 0000, 7pm-7am) which is soon to be extended to operate 24 hours a day.
We are concerned by the letter from Erika Kwok regarding teenage suicides (South China Morning Post, June 21) as she may not be aware of these services. We receive calls from many teenagers, particularly at this time of year when they are under stress from exams. We are available to receive calls from anyone in distress.
I also refer to an article headlined, 'Privacy challenged by plan to display callers' numbers', on June 24 by Jane Moir, who spoke to one of my deputy directors. I would like to emphasise that caller confidentiality is of vital importance to us. The Samaritans will not install a telephone system which displays the caller's phone number.
May I also bring to your attention the article on June 23, headlined 'Big rise in accidental drug deaths'. In this article a reference is made to the Coroner's Report for 1994.
