ABOUT $2 million will be spent studying the possible introduction of peer counselling in schools to thwart the worrying trend of teenage suicides.
The research, to be conducted early next year, may lead to selected students becoming agony aunts for their desperate schoolmates who choose not to consult teachers or social workers.
The project, backed by the Education Department, has been prompted by a spate of teenage suicides, drug use and self-abuse, such as self-inflicted cuts and burns.
'Schoolmates are always available for the needy and will provide an immediate comfort, if not support to them. It will lessen the possibility of both inward or outward aggression,' said principal inspector (psychological services) Ruth Lau Lau Wing-mun.
The department will contract out the research to tertiary institutes at the end of this year. Sample schools are expected to be selected for the pilot scheme.
Mature students will be selected to go through training, to be supervised by counselling and psychological experts.