- Joined
- Oct 7, 2012
- Messages
- 5,228
- Points
- 113
Hong Kong’s recent turmoil has led to an alarming surge in calls for emotional support, with specialists warning of an increase in suicidal thoughts and urging the government to immediately address a potential mental health crisis.
Samaritan Befrienders, a suicide prevention group, said on Wednesday that it had received 42 calls for help since June 9. Clarence Tsang, the group’s chief executive, said all the calls were “bill related”, referring to the government’s unpopular extradition bill that march organisers claimed brought millions of Hongkongers to the streets last month.
Tsang said the number of calls was about five times higher than the number received by the group from March to May. The number of calls the group received during the Occupy protests was not available on Wednesday.
The Hong Kong Red Cross said it had received 99 calls on its psychological support hotline since June 12. That was the day police used tear gas, beanbag rounds and rubber bullets to disperse thousands of protesters occupying roads around the government headquarters and the Legislative Council.
“This is a public mental health situation,” Tsang said.
Paul Yip Siu-fai, director of the Centre for Suicide Prevention at the University of Hong Kong, went further.
“The whole society has fallen into hysteria due to a volcanic eruption of the deep-seated identity crisis triggered by the bill,” he said.
“People are upset, worrying about the safety of others and feeling uncertain about their own life. I have never seen Hongkongers so unsettled and troubled by the feeling that nothing is under control.”
Yip said these factors could lead to an outbreak of depression and extreme acts.
Three deaths that included suicide notes or other references to the current crisis have been recorded since the mass protests began last month.
At least two suicide attempts on Wednesday went viral online, sparking fears of copycat behaviour and suicidal thoughts among Hong Kong’s young people.
Tsang said his group had sent an outreach team to protest areas since June 9 and had handled 24 cases of emotional disturbances, most involving young Hongkongers under or just above 20 years old.
Some said they felt hopeless and suicidal, according to Tsang.
“They were saying things like, ‘I fear nothing. The worst I can get is a real bullet. I can’t achieve anything anyway’,” Tsang said.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor suspended the bill in response to mass demonstrations, but protesters insisted that it be scrapped and escalated their actions.
On Monday, the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China’s rule, desperate young protesters broke into the Legislative Council by smashing open more than a dozen glass windows.
Labour Party lawmaker Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung said many protesters were unafraid of dying – and some felt indebted to the three Hongkongers who lost their lives.
A protester at the head of the mob was heard shouting to lawmakers who tried to stop him: “Get out of my way. My schoolmate died. You can’t stop me!”
Tsang urged protesters to take a break from protesting if they felt overwhelmed.
“A long campaign needs breaks,” Tsang said. “And when you feel there is no way out, talk to someone positive to avoid a snowballing of negative emotions.”
Tsang continued: “The government’s response affects people’s emotions. All I can say is that the government has yet to handle the situation and it could have done better.”
Samaritan Befrienders, a suicide prevention group, said on Wednesday that it had received 42 calls for help since June 9. Clarence Tsang, the group’s chief executive, said all the calls were “bill related”, referring to the government’s unpopular extradition bill that march organisers claimed brought millions of Hongkongers to the streets last month.
Tsang said the number of calls was about five times higher than the number received by the group from March to May. The number of calls the group received during the Occupy protests was not available on Wednesday.
The Hong Kong Red Cross said it had received 99 calls on its psychological support hotline since June 12. That was the day police used tear gas, beanbag rounds and rubber bullets to disperse thousands of protesters occupying roads around the government headquarters and the Legislative Council.
“This is a public mental health situation,” Tsang said.
Paul Yip Siu-fai, director of the Centre for Suicide Prevention at the University of Hong Kong, went further.
“The whole society has fallen into hysteria due to a volcanic eruption of the deep-seated identity crisis triggered by the bill,” he said.
“People are upset, worrying about the safety of others and feeling uncertain about their own life. I have never seen Hongkongers so unsettled and troubled by the feeling that nothing is under control.”
Yip said these factors could lead to an outbreak of depression and extreme acts.
Three deaths that included suicide notes or other references to the current crisis have been recorded since the mass protests began last month.
At least two suicide attempts on Wednesday went viral online, sparking fears of copycat behaviour and suicidal thoughts among Hong Kong’s young people.
Tsang said his group had sent an outreach team to protest areas since June 9 and had handled 24 cases of emotional disturbances, most involving young Hongkongers under or just above 20 years old.
Some said they felt hopeless and suicidal, according to Tsang.
“They were saying things like, ‘I fear nothing. The worst I can get is a real bullet. I can’t achieve anything anyway’,” Tsang said.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor suspended the bill in response to mass demonstrations, but protesters insisted that it be scrapped and escalated their actions.
On Monday, the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China’s rule, desperate young protesters broke into the Legislative Council by smashing open more than a dozen glass windows.
Labour Party lawmaker Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung said many protesters were unafraid of dying – and some felt indebted to the three Hongkongers who lost their lives.
A protester at the head of the mob was heard shouting to lawmakers who tried to stop him: “Get out of my way. My schoolmate died. You can’t stop me!”
Tsang urged protesters to take a break from protesting if they felt overwhelmed.
“A long campaign needs breaks,” Tsang said. “And when you feel there is no way out, talk to someone positive to avoid a snowballing of negative emotions.”
Tsang continued: “The government’s response affects people’s emotions. All I can say is that the government has yet to handle the situation and it could have done better.”
