Hong Kong sees 1,080 suicides in 2022 as rate breaks record in 2007

Hong Kong saw 1,080 suicide deaths in 2022, according to the latest data released by the Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong, as the group called on society not to label mental disorder patients and government to provide more support. 

The number of deaths and the suicide rate both hit a record high since 2007. 

A total of 477 suicides involved older adults aged 60 or above, taking up 44 percent of the overall number and breaking the record in 1973. It also marked a 6.95 percent year-on-year increase. 

The data was provided by the Coroner’s Court and released on Saturday. Men took up 676 cases, and women took up 404 cases. 

The suicide rate stood at 14.73, meaning 14.7 people in every 100,000 took their own lives. 

The group added that the numbers had been climbing because of Covid’s impact on the economy, a rather pessimistic social atmosphere, and the aging population. 

The group also pointed out that 67 suicides were related to mental disorders, and depression is the most common mental disorder, according to a 2023 World Health Organization report. 

About 3.8 percent of the global population suffers from depression, which is also a leading cause that leads to suicide and increases the risks by 15 to 20 times. 

The group called on society not to label mental disorder patients and to put in more effort to understand these mental disorders. 

The group also appealed to the government to allocate more resources to support patients.