Less than a month after the resumption of classes, at least four incidents of students falling from buildings, experts say, sound the alarm and call for attention

Two 16-year-old Secondary 4 and 13-year-old Secondary 2 female students from St. Paul's Secondary School fell from a building in Shau Kei Wan yesterday (18th), taking into account the incident of two students falling from the building on the first day of the resumption of classes on the 3rd of this month, classes will resume. Since then, four students have fallen from the building one after another, and the emotional problems of the students have attracted great attention.

Ip Siu-fai, director of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Suicide Prevention Research Center of the University of Hong Kong, said that the suicide of young people, especially school children, has been on the rise in the past two years, and the alarm has sounded. As a result, the impulsive step into a dead end, it is suggested that a strong intervention is needed. Not only parents and teachers, but everyone has the responsibility to care about the emotional problems of students. The Education Bureau should also increase its support to prevent the recurrence of tragedies.

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Student suicide has risen in the past two years, and the resumption of classes makes students feel uncomfortable

Ye Zhaohui said that according to recent data, young people, especially students, committed suicide. There has been an upward trend in the past two years. In the past two or three resumption of classes, students have noticed some adaptation problems, which are believed to be related to the epidemic.

He said that in the past three years, the school has been closed continuously, which has caused students to lose the most important social support. "(Previously) students were unhappy and could talk to their classmates and teachers." The relationship with the children when they get along day and night, or speaking wrongly makes the relationship worse, which has a greater impact on the students' psychology.

Better family relationships and fewer tragedies

He emphasized that in the early stage of resumption of classes, we should learn more about the difficulties of young people. In addition to their studies, they may also face relational problems, such as the relationship with their families.

According to past analysis, students who have a better relationship with their families generally have fewer suicide problems. On the contrary, when a tragedy occurs, parents usually feel self-blame and regret not communicating with their children. It is suggested that parents should pay more attention to their children and check whether the communication between everyone is sufficient. .

Yip Siu-fai, director of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Suicide Prevention Research Centre at the University of Hong Kong.

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The alarm has been sounded calling for more attention to the mental health of young people

Ye Zhaohui said that the current situation has reached an "Alert (alarm)" situation, and it is necessary to intervene vigorously. In addition to the concern of parents and teachers, those who have the opportunity to have contact with young people have the responsibility to pay attention to their mental health, and said that in yesterday's tragedy, Although the parents of the students involved have sought help, it seems that they may not be able to deal with it effectively. We urge the Education Bureau to step up its intervention and provide more support for the school's needs.

The Child Mortality Review Committee made 22 recommendations last year

Reviewed the latest report on the review of child deaths completed in 2021 by the Child Death Cases Review Committee of the SWD. The report consolidated the child deaths from 2016 to 2018 and made 22 relevant recommendations on suicide cases, including that the Education Bureau should strengthen the existing mechanism, reviewers The proportion of students at high risk of suicide should be taken care of, parents should not decide the future of their children, and students should also take seriously the signs of suicide by their classmates.

The Education Bureau stated that it has launched activities to protect students' mental health for the resumption of classes.

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Education Bureau: Mental health activities for students have been launched for the resumption of classes

In response to the incident yesterday, the Education Bureau pointed out that face-to-face classes will gradually resume after the special holiday in April this year and the Easter holiday, and students need to adapt or additional support. We welcome the resumption of classes with care and a positive attitude.

The bureau also stated that according to research, suicide is a complex social problem, which is caused by the interaction of many factors, including mental health problems, psychological factors, interpersonal and adjustment difficulties, and various pressures in life. level, including medical system, social, interpersonal and personal factors.

The Education Bureau has been requiring primary and secondary schools to report suspected suicide cases of students in order to provide schools with appropriate professional support.

Two girls from St. Paul's Secondary School fell off the building and died. The parents have asked the social worker to follow up the incident. Two girls in school uniforms in Shau Kei Wan fell from the building and lay on the platform to die. On the resumption day, the two middle school students committed suicide.