Four civic groups agree to co-ordinate efforts and raise public awareness
Four civic groups yesterday joined hands to fight suicide as part of a global initiative to mark the first World Suicide Prevention Day today.
Hong Kong's suicide rate reached a record high last year with 16.4 of every 100,000 people dying by their own hand. This exceeded the global average of 14.5 suicides per 100,000.
An agreement to step up co-operation to devise measures to curb suicides was signed by the heads of the Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong, the Samaritans Multi-Lingual Suicide Prevention Service, the Suicide Prevention Services and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention of the Hong Kong University.
The agreement is part of a global initiative to fight suicide - currently the 13th leading cause of death worldwide - led by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
The WHO and the association have designated today World Suicide Prevention Day.
