Suicide prevention in Hong Kong: let’s normalise reaching out for help

Readers discuss how the community can work together to prevent suicides, sentencing in cases of sex crimes, and responsible pet ownership

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World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 is a timely reminder that suicide prevention cannot begin only at the point of crisis. Hong Kong needs strong clinical services and emergency response, but we also need to make help-seeking simpler and more socially acceptable long before a person reaches breaking point.

For many people, the hardest step is the first one: admitting they are struggling and reaching out. Stigma, fear of judgment, and the belief that they should “handle it themselves” can delay that first call. This is particularly concerning during periods of heightened stress, including the back-to-school season for students and times of sustained pressure in many workplaces.

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That is why clear, responsible public messaging matters. When support information is placed in everyday spaces where people already are – on commutes, in estates and in community settings, it lowers the psychological barrier to seeking help. Messages should be practical and non-sensational: you are not alone; talk to someone now; here is a direct way to reach a trained listener.

One practical step is ensuring people know where to turn in the moment. The Samaritans’ 24-hour hotline (2896 0000) is staffed by trained volunteers who provide non-judgmental listening support. Just as importantly, friends and family members who are worried about someone also need clear guidance on how to start a conversation and what to do next.

In addition, prevention requires better support around the person. Teachers, managers and other frontline gatekeepers need training, time and clear referral pathways so they can respond calmly and appropriately to signs of distress, without blame or panic.

Suicide prevention is not only a medical issue. It is a community responsibility, and it is also about culture: whether someone feels safe enough to speak up early. This World Suicide Prevention Day, let us invest in crisis services and build everyday environments that normalise reaching out for help.

Cedric Cheung, chief operating officer, The Samaritans Hong Kong

Defendant’s background shouldn’t affect sentencing

I refer to the report, “RTHK editor sentenced over upskirt video” (August 27). After the 57-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to one count of the unlawful recording or observation of intimate parts of a woman, he was sentenced to 160 hours of community service. Such lenient sentencing raises questions about our society’s and our legal system’s attitude to victims.

The defendant, described as married with two sons and the family’s sole breadwinner, was seemingly shielded by his status. He had also argued that the crime was “a momentary lapse of judgment driven by sexual impulse”.

In South Korea, the legal system has a tendency to go easy on men who commit sex crimes. Inebriation has historically been used as a legal defence for assault, or the judge might say a harsh sentence would ruin a young man’s future prospects and that the court ought to go easy on him.

The implications of such an approach are profound, as they suggest that potential damage to the defendant’s reputation can overshadow the irreversible harm done to the victim. Upskirt recordings and harassment are violations of privacy and have long-lasting effects on victims. The legal system must prioritise the experiences and rights of the victim, and we must advocate for a legal framework that emphasises accountability, regardless of a defendant’s status, as we are all equal under the rule of law.

Sennett Shi, Tung Chung

Education on responsible pet ownership needed

I am writing in response to the letter, “Dog owners have a duty to protect the community” (August 26).

Two shocking cases have made headlines recently. An unleashed large dog in Yuen Long killed two small pets, and it had attacked another dog a month earlier. Tragically, a woman lost her life after being bitten by a large dog at a pet‑boarding facility in Ta Kwu Ling. These incidents show that the problem cannot be overlooked.

It is important to understand that dogs themselves are not born dangerous. Most risks come from irresponsible owners who fail to train, supervise or leash their pets in public. No resident should feel afraid in parks, pavements or housing estates.

Besides strict enforcement of existing rules, heavier penalties are necessary for negligent owners. Meanwhile, public education, easier channels for reporting dangerous dogs and more special exercise grounds for dogs can encourage responsible pet-keeping.

I love animals, yet human safety must come first. With firm law enforcement, widespread education and higher owner accountability, we can build public spaces safe for both people and pets.

Andy Yiu Chi-hang, Kwun Tong

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