More than 1,000 people from all walks of life are to act as 'guardian angels' to family and friends in a campaign to combat the rising trend of suicides and murder-suicides.
The Angels Around Us campaign, launched by the Evangelical Lutheran Church on Monday, also invites officials and celebrities to promote positive thinking after an increase in such tragedies in recent months.
Participants will be offered two free training courses featuring discussions on the meaning of life and communication skills.
Information on community support services will also be given to volunteers to pass on to family members and friends who show signs of depression.
Campaign spokesman Lin Siu-sau said that of the 1,000 participants, 200 were students.
Social Welfare director Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who signed up for the programme, said the large number of volunteers was heartening.
