How Do We Hold Every Child This Back-to-School Season?

Within days of the new school year starting, Hong Kong has seen a number of student suicides and self-harm incidents. Figures from the HKU Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention show the suicide rate among under-15s rose from 0.3 in 2024 to 4.0 in 2025, while the 15–24 rate reached 11.7 — the second highest in the past decade. Most cases were linked to academic pressure and peer relationships.

🧩 The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

No student who is struggling exists in isolation. The pain is a whole ecosystem — the school system, the family, the campus culture, social expectations — pressing down on one child at the same time. It cannot be cut apart and treated piece by piece.

🤝 "We", not just "I"

When a student falls, it is not enough for that one child to "be stronger". Classmates, teachers, parents and society all share the responsibility. Belonging is the real safety net.

🚫 Do not label

Hastily sorting students into "high-risk", "problem" or "maladjusted" is itself a second injury. Every person's suffering deserves to be seen in full, not reduced to a category.

🌡️ The body cries out first

Dark circles, long-term insomnia, loss of appetite — the body speaks before the words do. These signs should not be waved away as mere "study pressure".

As Professor Paul Yip of HKU reminds us: do not blindly chase grades; care more about students' emotional health.

If you are struggling, please reach out. Reaching out is courage, not weakness.

📞 24-hour helplines

• The Samaritans (multilingual): 2896 0000
• Suicide Prevention Services: 2382 0000
• The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong: 2389 2222
• Caritas Family Crisis Support Centre: 18288