Suicide rate among children under 15 tripled last year, as researchers urge schools and media to do better
A university research centre has urged schools to strengthen mental health awareness among students after statistics revealed a rise in the suicide rate for children under 15 last year. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at the University of Hong Kong announced the city’s latest suicide statistics on Thursday. While the overall […]
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at the University of Hong Kong has highlighted a concerning rise in the suicide rate among children under 15, with the rate tripling last year. According to the latest statistics, the suicide rate for this age group increased from 0.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024 to 2.9 per 100,000 residents in 2025, resulting in 15 known suicide cases compared to six in the previous year.
The majority of victims were male, with 14 males and one female among the 2025 cases. Researchers from the centre have urged schools to prioritize mental health awareness, foster better peer relationships, and support new students during their transition. They also provided contact information for various support services, including the Samaritans, the Suicide Prevention Centre, and the government mental health hotline.
Brief written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
