Family is the core unit of every society, and it plays an especially important role in Chinese society . Family should be a place of safety and comfort. However, many in Hong Kong are facing difficulties, including health issues among family members, financial disputes and divisions within the family, especially in low-income households. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of these difficulties. Suicides at home are common in Hong Kong. According to our recently published article in the journal Injury Prevention , about 60 per cent of suicide cases occur at home in the city. Given that there are about 900 deaths from suicide annually, that means more than 500 take place inside someone’s residence each year in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s rate of at-home suicide is similar to that in the United States and Canada but higher than in other places such as South Korea, where the rate is about 30 per cent. Among all suicide cases, we found that being female, living alone or being widowed were risk factors for at-home suicide. We also observed that young and elderly populations were more likely to die by suicide at home. Women may spend more time at home alone, given that family members who do unpaid domestic labour are predominantly female. Older adults might be less physically able to travel, so they are more likely to die by suicide at home. People who live alone or are widowed are more vulnerable because their home is readily accessible and they are unlikely to be interrupted. Conversely, we found that middle-aged people may be less likely to die by suicide at home. One reason is that they may fear turning their residence into a “ haunted flat ”. Apart from individual risk factors, we also looked at the existence of at-home suicide hotspots and related community-level factors. We identified one hotspot around the northwestern New Territories, including geographically isolated areas such as Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai. Older people living alone in these districts could feel abandoned if their relatives are unable to visit them regularly. A sense of disconnection and isolation can be prevalent among older people. We have introduced an intergenerational emotional support programme in Wong Tai Sin; young people have been trained to share oral history with older adults in the district, to show an appreciation for what they have done in their lives. It creates a bond between the generations and builds a sense of connectedness between the past and present. Most suicides can be prevented, and family can be the first line of defence if proper support is available. We have seen that some people felt a sense of hopeless because they did not know where to seek help. Therefore, it’s vital for the government and non-governmental organisations to first identify older adults who are more vulnerable and in need of support. Regular visits to assess their well-being are necessary. More assistance should also be provided to engage vulnerable subgroups such as those older adults who live alone and new migrants. Considering the small area of private space available for most people in Hong Kong, communities must make full use of public resources such as libraries, parks, schools, district centres and so on. There are also steps people can take on an individual level towards suicide prevention. We encourage families, particularly those with older adults living alone, to install window grills with locks. This not only avoids accidents but prevents potential tragedies, too. Singapore recognises people attempting suicide need help, not punishment Restricting access to the means for suicide is also widely seen as an effective prevention strategy. These low-cost measures can lower the risk of suicide and provide additional time for others to help. Suicide prevention should not only target high-risk groups, and it is not only a medical problem. Strategies should be promoted at the community level and involve many different stakeholders. Sadly, the suicide rate among schoolchildren and older adults has been rising in Hong Kong during the pandemic, and most such deaths occurred at home. We need to be better equipped to raise awareness of the signs of mental distress and provide a supportive home environment. Suicide prevention should start at home, and every household in the community can contribute to this important cause. Multipronged short- and long-term community-based strategies are what is required. Anthony Yeung and Vera Men are PhD candidates from the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong. Professor Paul Yip is director of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at HKU