Preventing financial crises helps prevent suicides

To teach students and fresh graduates how to manage their financial affairs and avoid unmanageable debts, the Suicide Research & Prevention website uses the cartoon character "Bachelor of Wealth".

The bachelor shares his secret of devising a good budget in five simple steps:

* categorise what you spend your money on each day;

* write down exactly what you spend;

* keep all shopping receipts;

* adjust your budget if you are overspending;

* start a savings plan and keep your progress in check.

Always be flexible in working out a personalised budget, the character advises.

He also analyses the ways different credit cards work, causes of financial crises, and provides strategies to tackle overspending.

Suicide, mental illness closely associated

The centre's training consultant, Kathy Leung, said adversity, no matter how challenging, can be overcome. If we recognise our own problems, or those of our family members and friends early, we can seek advice and get help.

"Studies in Hong Kong and other countries indicate a close association between suicide and mental illness. Therefore, maintaining mental health is vital for suicide prevention," Ms Leung said

Studies also show that in Hong Kong, more than 70% of young people who had committed suicide in 1998 suffered from at least one type of psychiatric disturbance.

Mental illness includes depression and psychosis. Depression, which is most strongly associated with suicides, has symptoms including a depressed mood or irritability, loss of pleasure in most activities, a sense of hopelessness, sleep disturbance, as well as increased or decreased appetite.

People with depressive disorders also have recurrent thoughts about death and even talk about it, directly and indirectly. They might ask: "If I die!K?" or "What is the other world like?"

In serious cases, sufferers avoid eye contact with others, and do not take care of themselves, such as failing to cut their fingernails or change their clothes.

Do not be afraid to seek help

Ms Leung said the causes of depression among the elderly and youths differ somewhat. Elderly depression is usually caused by illness, a diminished social life and decreasing mobility. Depression among young people is triggered by relationship breakdowns, an unhappy family life, unemployment and education woes.

The Centre has produced a short film, "I am Worthy for Being Who I Am", to promote understanding of depression among youths, and encourage them to seek help when necessary.

Ms Leung stressed that depression can be cured if early treatment is sought.

Apart from depression, an unhappy family life, alcohol or drug abuse, a poor image of one's family and early onset of sexual activity are risk factors associated with suicidal tendencies among people aged 15 to 24 in Hong Kong, according to a survey jointly conducted by the Centre and the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong. 

Next of kin reconstruct deceased's profile

The Centre has launched a two-year Psychological Autopsy Study of Suicide to reconstruct the life of a person who has committed suicide, by speaking to those people who knew him or her well, and then identifying the risks and factors that led the person to take his or her own life. It can form the basis of a  prevention programme to eliminate such tragedies.

The study is being conducted with the help of close acquaintances or relatives of those who committed suicide. Ms Leung hoped more family members would volunteer to participate. Anyone who is interested can call 2241 5013 or send a fax to 2549 6161.

People who have mental illness can seek treatment from the Hospital Authority's Child and Adolescent Mental Service. Referrals could be made by school principals, social workers, educational / clinical psychologists or registered medical doctors.

Those who have suicidal thoughts should contact concerned helplines immediately.