Record Rise in Elderly Suicides in Hong Kong Spurs Call for Healthcare Support and Community Engagement
Hong Kong witnessed a worrying increase in elderly suicides last year, prompting a suicide prevention group to call for more healthcare support and community engagement. Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong revealed that there were 1,080 suicide deaths in 2021, marking a 15-year high. Of these cases, 44 percent, or 477, involved individuals aged 60 or above, the highest since records began in 1973.
The concern group highlighted the factors contributing to this alarming trend. The wave of emigration in recent years has led to families leaving their elderly relatives behind, exacerbating their feelings of loneliness. Consequently, this demographic is experiencing a lack of family support, which further compounds their vulnerability to suicide. Tsang Chin-kwok, the executive director of Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong, emphasized that as the elderly population grows, suicides among this age group have also increased. He noted that elderly individuals aged 70 or above are particularly susceptible, as their health and social lives tend to deteriorate significantly.
To address this issue, Tsang called for measures to encourage younger people to remain in Hong Kong and support the elderly population. The city is confronting an aging population, and it is vital to ensure adequate healthcare staff to provide support to individuals at risk of suicide. Additionally, Tsang urged the government to enhance public education to prevent stigmatization of mental health issues and promote early intervention.
The statistics indicate that 6 percent of the reported suicides in 2021 were individuals with mental disorders. Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong stressed the importance of professional assessment in determining the suitability of discharging psychiatric patients, cautioning that extended hospital stays without a return to normal social life may exacerbate anxiety and hinder recovery. While there have been proposals to expand a conditional discharge scheme for psychiatric patients voluntarily admitted to hospitals, experts have expressed concerns about potential deterrent effects, while others have suggested extending the scheme to individuals with suicidal thoughts.
It is crucial to address the mental health needs of Hong Kong’s aging population, especially as official projections predict a gradual increase in the proportion of residents aged 65 and above. The implementation of comprehensive support systems, a stronger presence of healthcare professionals, and community engagement initiatives can help combat the rising trend of elderly suicides in Hong Kong.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. In Hong Kong, you can call The Samaritans at +852 2896 0000 or Suicide Prevention Services at +852 2382 0000. For other nations’ helplines, please refer to this page. In the United States, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or +1 800 273 8255. Remember, seeking help is a vital step toward finding support and healing in difficult times.
