Hong Kong improves student suicide prevention system at John Lee’s request

Hong Kong authorities have improved a mechanism to help children at risk of suicide after the city’s leader noticed an imbalance in the use of resources and asked for improvements.

The government also announced on Friday a one-year extension of the emergency three-stage mechanism, which was launched in December 2023 and was scheduled to end next month.

Chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu had previously asked for improvements after noticing that the number of students referred to psychiatrists at the top-tier public hospitals exceeded the number of students being cared for by the off-campus support network team at the second tier.

Under the first tier, schools prioritize helping students at increased risk of suicide by seeking professional counseling or therapeutic services for them. Improved solutions include strengthening the training of parents and staff to identify and support suitable students.

Schools in the improved second tier will no longer need referrals from the Education Office and will be able to apply directly for help to external support teams organized by the Department of Social Services. Schools can only send students to teams with parental consent.

“After reviewing the situation of students at risk of suicide, teams will, if necessary, refer students or their families to other social support services,” said the circular the office sent to schools on Friday.