SUICIDES among Hongkong Chinese teenagers have more than doubled, while the highest number of suicides are committed by the elderly, according to new figures released by a charity organisation.
Although the overall number of suicides fell last year, The Samaritan Befrienders Hongkong yesterday reported deaths among 10-14 year olds had risen from four in 1991 to nine in 1992. In this age group, twice as many girls committed suicide.
Suicides among teenagers aged 15 to 19 had increased by 92.5 per cent - from 16 in 1991 to 30 last year, while 168 people over the age of 71 killed themselves last year, 10 more than in 1991.
Samaritans chairwoman Betty Tsui said more attention had to be paid to youths and the elderly.
She said the organisation is focusing on preventing teenage suicides, and plans to run educational programmes for parents.
The Samaritans also run a special Summer Hotline Service to handle calls from HKCEE candidates.
Telephone lines are doubled, and volunteers triple their working hours from two to six per week to provide sufficient manpower.
