Suicide and Mental Health in Hong Kong
Public posters to combat suicide in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, there were a total of 853 suicide deaths in 2017—approximately 11.5 suicides per 100,000. While people over age 65 constitute the highest-affected age group (24.3 deaths per 100,000), the increasing trend of student suicides is also worrying and highlights a nation’s failing system of social support for vulnerable populations. Across all age groups, jumping accounts for about half of all suicide deaths.
Artist
Amy Shi (2019)
Artist Lens
Short poems were composed through gathering news articles from various sources like the South China Morning Post, a popular Hong Kong newspaper, which openly features stories about suicide and mental health. Each poem aims to reflect feelings from a distinct viewpoint, in hopes that their messages can resonate with some readers or provoke reflection.
This product seeks an eye-to-eye and heart-to-heart experience when commuters read about how their fellow Hong Kongers respond to suicide and mental health issues. Seeing these messages in public spaces may allow citizens to become more comfortable about bringing up suicide and mental health in other conversations.
“I’m listening” reflects the thoughts of a high school student who feels uncertain about how to act when a friend shares that he had thoughts about suicide before. In addition to influences from newspaper interviews, this composition also draws from more personal experiences of knowing someone who has considered committing suicide. “I’m looking” comes from the perspective of an elderly man who is yearning to find new purpose and joy in life after retirement and the death of close family and friends. Family members are urged to recognize the depression is not a normal part of aging and to support them through quality time and/or seeking professional resources. “I’m living” shares the real story of a Hong Kong University law student who has overcome a difficult period of depression, coupled with suicidal thoughts. In interviews with the South China Morning Post, he reveals his sentiments during that time and how professional psychiatric services helped him recover.
Media
Digital