HONG KONG, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong launched a two-year pilot project to prevent elderly suicide on Friday, with efforts to identify and support seniors with a suicidal tendency, and enhance suicide prevention work through neighborhood support networks.
Secretary for Labor and Welfare Matthew Cheung said the higher suicide mortality rate among elders as compared to those of other age groups deserves attention.
"We have therefore allocated 5 million HK dollars to implement 33 district projects from this month to prevent elderly suicide," he said.
Participating organizations will make use of the funds to develop new support networks or expand and enhance existing ones, identify and support elders with suicidal tendencies at an early stage, and promote suicide prevention to elders and their families.
Activities will be organized regularly to promote active aging and neighborhood support, and encourage introverted elders or those with suicidal tendencies to take part in community activities. Social workers and other professionals will offer supportive services.
The elderly with emotional problems will be referred to Community Mental Health Intervention Project service teams operated by non-governmental organizations.
The Elderly Suicide Prevention Program set up by the Hospital Authority in each cluster will continue to give speedy and appropriate mental health diagnosis and treatments to elders with suicidal tendencies.
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