Elderly people are lonely.
Hong Kong is so sad and hopeless. According to statistics released by the Hong Kong Samaritan Befrienders Association, more than 1,000 suicide deaths were recorded last year, and the number of suicides and the suicide rate hit a new high since 2007; The number of suicide deaths broke the record for many years, with 477 cases recorded. Some scholars believe that the increase in the suicide rate of the elderly may be related to the epidemic and immigration. They suggest that the government make good use of the care team to support the elderly living alone.
The Association for the Prevention of Suicide analyzed the data of the Coroner’s Court. Last year, there were 1,080 suicide deaths, 676 of which were male and 404 female. The number of suicide deaths increased by 70 from the 1,010 suicide deaths in 2021, and the suicide rate also increased by 1.03. The overall record is the highest since 2007.
Elderly suicides on the rise
If analyzed by age group, last year there were 477 suicide deaths at the age of 60 or above, accounting for 44.17% of the total number of suicide deaths, and the suicide rate was 21.73, an increase of 6.95% and 0.61 respectively compared with 2021, the highest since 1973; 70 Among the elderly over the age of 10, the number of suicides has also increased from 188 to 282 in the past five years. The association believes that the number of elderly suicide deaths is on the rise and shows signs of “breaking records”.
Last year, there were also 67 suicide deaths related to mental illness. According to the World Health Organization report in 2023, depression is a common mental illness. 3.8% of the global population suffers from this disease. It is also a major disease that can lead to suicide. Few patients will feel helpless and hopeless, and believe that they are incapable of solving problems, so their suicide risk will be as high as 15 to 20 times higher than others. The association hopes that the society will stop labeling patients and pay more attention to and understand mental illness. The government will also allocate more resources to support patients.
sick lonely old man
Ye Zhaohui, director of the Jockey Club Suicide Prevention Research Center of the University of Hong Kong, said that the increase in the number of elderly suicides is largely related to the new crown epidemic in recent years and the wave of immigration. He said that many elderly people living alone live alone and are very lonely. In addition, there was still a lack of support during the past quarantine, so most elderly people may be more likely to feel abandoned and neglected, and at the same time suffer from long-term illnesses, pain, etc. Due to the influence of the disease, some sick elders may not want to be a burden to their family members, and eventually have suicidal thoughts.
Rebuild connection and increase sense of belonging
He suggested that the authorities should re-establish a “social network” in the community to help the elderly reconnect with society, including organizing more social activities for retirees and the elderly to participate in, to build their sense of belonging and make them feel valued by society and Pay attention, and cultivate an active retirement life. In addition, the government should make good use of the newly established “18 District Care Teams” to identify more elderly people living alone and provide assistance through home visits.
Hong Kong people immigrated and flew away.
The Suicide Prevention Society announced that more than 1,000 suicide deaths were recorded last year, a record high since 2007. (Photo by Li Zhiyong)
Elderly suicides have been linked to migration waves.
2023-07-29 21:45:00
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