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The Committee on Prevention of Student Suicides convened its first meeting this afternoon (April 29). Members examined and discussed relevant data and situations in the local and international contexts, in an attempt to better understand the causes of student suicides through a multi-perspective analysis of cases that have occurred in recent years.
The Committee, established in end-March, is chaired by the Director of the Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at the University of Hong Kong, Professor Paul Yip, with members comprising school, parent, youth and student representatives; professionals from the healthcare and social welfare sectors; and representatives of different government bureaux and departments. The Committee is tasked with examining and analysing comprehensively the causes of student suicide and recommending appropriate preventive measures in light of the recent suicide incidents.
"Information gathered from various sources reveals that each case of student suicide had complicated underlying causes and was triggered by different factors, such as problems of mental health, emotion, adaptation and interpersonal relationship. The data currently available show that 20 per cent of cases had a record of receiving psychiatric services, while more than 70 per cent of cases involved problems of interpersonal relationship with peers and/or parents. Of all these cases, more than 80 per cent were caused by interaction of a number of complicated factors," Professor Yip explained.
To facilitate more thorough study in various areas, including the discussion of preventive measures at different levels, members agreed at the meeting to set up five working groups on mental health, family, school, media and youth/post-secondary institutions to enable focused discussions. Other than Committee members, conveners of the working groups will engage experts and stakeholders of the sectors concerned on a needs basis, so that by virtue of collective wisdom, the Committee can propose measures that are more appropriate and targeted.
"Over the past month, the Committee has received concerns and views about student suicide expressed by people from different sectors of the community. The Committee would like to express its gratitude to them. The suggestions received will be discussed at meetings of relevant working groups," said Professor Yip.
In March and April, the Education Bureau (EDB) organised five regional seminars on emotional quotient and resilience enhancement to strengthen the awareness and abilities of school personnel and parents, so that they can be better equipped to prevent and address student suicides. About 1 800 school staff members and parents attended the seminars.
Earlier this week, the EDB uploaded to its website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/teacher/student-guidance-discipline-services/gd-resources/index.html) three different information kits on enhancing resilience for students, parents and schools to help them identify as early as possible students with suicidal risks so they can seek timely professional support. The EDB will arrange for the distribution of these information kits to students, parents and schools in due course.
To enable schools and frontline social workers to be more alert to the emotional distress of students and identify as early as possible students in need of assistance, the Social Welfare Department will organise a training day for frontline school social workers on May 11. The training day programme will cover skills for tackling and following up on issues associated with juvenile suicide.
Professor Yip said, "Various stakeholders have actively responded to the needs of the community of their own accord. For instance, online information platforms have been set up to help the public gain a better understanding of the risk and protective factors of suicide, as well as the identification of warning signs. Furthermore, they have taken the initiative to approach conventional and Internet media to encourage responsible news reporting of suicides. Separately, social media experts will hold briefings in May on cyber security and prevention of suicides through social media platforms with a view to forestalling student suicides through intervention at different levels."
The Committee will conduct monthly meetings between May and August, while relevant working groups will have focused discussions and submit their proposals to the Committee for further discussion at its monthly meetings. It is expected that the Committee will be able to submit its report and recommendations to the Secretary for Education in October. If necessary, an interim report will be prepared in July.
Ends/Friday, April 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:47
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