Debts lead to suicide risk, as crisis center fields 1,779 calls

A crisis center received 1,779 calls from people at suicidal risk last year, up 34 percent [or 453 cases] on the year prior, and 38 percent were debt-related.

Caritas Family Crisis Support Centre said the number of calls to its two 24-hour hotlines of 1,779 calls was nearly triple the calls on 2021-22. Altogether, last year's calls were up by 1,116 calls over two years. 
Among last year's calls, 676 were debt-related, accounting for 38 percent of the total, and 185 more than the previous 12 months. 

The center urged family members of indebted individuals to offer more support and companionship instead of criticism while seeking assistance early.

From 2021 to 2024, the charity said that debt-related cases consistently accounted for more than one-third of all calls with suicidal risks to their hotlines and showed a rising trend. 

Among those seeking help, around 80 percent were debtors, with 60 percent of them being males and 20 percent were family members of the indebted, predominantly female.

Most debtors seeking help were in their 30s, which the center explained was often a prime period for building families and careers, and debt disrupts their life plans, including searching for jobs and buying homes. 

The gap between expectations and reality brings disappointment that amplifies their suicide risk but motivates them to seek help. 

Most of the family members dialing calls were aged 50 to 59.

Debt amounts ranged from tens of thousands to millions, with the highest nearly reaching HK$10 million, according to the center.

Gambling and financial difficulties – such as low income, underemployment and family changes -- are the two main causes, each accounting for around one-fifth. Other causes include business and investment failures alongside unemployment.

One of the callers to the center, Lee, who was once unable to repay a debt of up to HK$600,000, encouraged debt-laden individuals who are struggling to seek help proactively.

Indebted individuals and their families who need help may reach the Caritas financial stress counseling hotline at 31610102 or the Caritas family crisis support hotline at 18288. Both hotlines operate 24 hours with calls answered by social workers.

(Adelyn Lau)