Letters | Hong Kong must speed and scale up efforts to prevent student suicide

Readers discuss the Education Bureau’s measures to bolster young people’s mental health, and the misguided tendency to view an ageing population as a burden

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The number of student suicides in Hong Kong calls for a more comprehensive programme to boost the mental health of young people. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 11:30am, 10 Sep 2023

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The level of youth suicide in Hong Kong remains alarmingly high. From 2020 to 2022, over 70 suspected fatal student suicides were reported by schools. We continue to be shocked by periodic reports of another young person choosing to end their own life.

It is encouraging to see the Education Bureau (EDB) express its concern about the level of youth suicide. The EDB paper, “Support for Students with Mental Health Needs”, submitted to the Legislative Council in July sets out all the resources, training and initiatives the EDB has developed for schools. It is a lengthy list of individual initiatives which reflect the research and recognised good practices associated with students’ mental well-being. It is a good start in the quest to reduce suicide among young people in Hong Kong.

It is not clear, however, whether these initiatives are being undertaken at the school level, how many and at which schools, leaving us uncertain about their scope and reach. There appears to be no overarching and comprehensive teaching and learning of mental health literacy and suicide prevention that is delivered consistently and embedded as a mandatory part of the primary and secondary school curriculum. It is unclear how the effectiveness or outcomes of such initiatives is assessed.

It is clear that the EDB is devoting resources and expertise to improving the mental health of school students and reducing the rate of suicide and suicide attempts. We strongly urge the bureau to significantly accelerate the implementation of a complete, mandatory curriculum for all schools, all students, teachers and staff members, and, to the greatest extent possible, all parents.

By taking this step to lead change, the EDB and individual schools can drive action that will help save lives, improve student well-being and enable young people to face life’s challenges with knowledge and confidence.

Ann Pearce, founder, The Weez Project, Hong Kong