A top welfare official yesterday urged distraught wives to seek help, in the wake of the mother who hurled herself and her two sons to their deaths.
Cecilia Tong Luk See-han, assistant director (family and child welfare) at the Social Welfare Department, said women with family problems could get counselling and support at community centres.
Chan Lam Man-fong, 41, and her sons Ho-wai, six, and Ho-yin, 10, died after plunging from the window of Tin Ming House, Tin Ping Estate, Sheung Shui, two weeks ago. The mother is believed to have killed herself because of problems with her husband Chan Kin-hong, 41, who was later exposed in the media for visiting mainland prostitutes just four days after his family died.
'Women with emotional problems are often cut off because they may not know neighbours or have friends - we want them to come forward and get help,' Ms Luk said. 'There is nothing to be ashamed about and they must release their pain and share it with others if there are difficulties bringing up children or with their husbands.'