Editorial | Mental health crisis looms amid unrest

That suicide continues to make headlines in Hong Kong says something about the well-being of our society. The latest concerns were raised when experts reviewed the situation in the city on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10. While the suicide rate has been on the decline, there are fears the trend may reverse if the political turmoil intensifies.

The worry is not unfounded. More than three months have passed since the unpopular extradition bill, now shelved, sparked waves of mass protests, some of which resulted in violent clashes with police. Growing outrage at the government’s response and police actions have fuelled more lawbreaking behaviour. Many people cannot bear to see their neighbourhoods turned into battlefields, their friends and relatives become political enemies, their beloved city engulfed in endless strife and violence.

The negative impact on the public psyche can be reflected in the significant surge in requests for professional counselling. The number of cases requesting help in relation to the protests was said to have surged from 42 in June to 114 in July, according to a suicide prevention group. The government has also strengthened support and counselling for those who are disturbed by the ongoing unrest. There were also reports of cases of suicide being linked to protests.

The suicide rate for those aged between 15 and 24 fell from 10.4 per 100,000 people in 2017 to 9.5 last year, the first decline since 2014. Comforting as it is, there is no room for complacency when it comes to suicide prevention. The overall rate is still relatively high at 12.2. With more than 12 people taking their own lives in every 100,000, the situation still warrants attention.

Each suicide may involve multiple factors. Those who are already susceptible may become even more vulnerable when facing additional upheaval. The difficulties in comprehending the complex sociopolitical situation, aggravated by a growing sense of helplessness and despair, and a lack of channels to release emotions, may result in tragedy. Our society is already paying a heavy price for the fallout. When individual mental suffering is not properly managed, it will snowball into a collective public health crisis.