Asia–Pacific Regional Conference on Prevention of Elderly Suicide "Prevention of Elderly Suicide: A Transdisciplinary Challenge"

【新聞稿　2004年03月24日】Faced with a relatively high elderly suicide rate in Hong Kong, the academics, social workers and medical professionals have long been advocating that joint efforts should be put into the prevention of elderly suicide. The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the Hong Kong Psychogeriatric Association and the Social Welfare Department have initiated a Joint Project on Prevention of Elderly Suicide in 2001 with the sponsorship from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Fund.

Asia–Pacific Regional Conference on Prevention of Elderly Suicide which is held today is one of the three important components of the Joint Project. It serves as ideal platform for the exchange of expertise among both local and overseas practitioners to share their experiences in the promotion of mental wellness and ways to prevent elderly suicide. We have invited renowned scholars and expert practitioners of the field from local and overseas institutes to enlighten us on better policy direction and intervention methods, over 400 participants from local, Mainland China and all over the world are expected to participate the Conference.

The Hon Dr E K YEOH, Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, HKSAR is invited to officiate today’s opening ceremony. The theme of the Conference is “Prevention of Elderly Suicide: A Transdisciplinary Challenge”, attempt to building public awareness on elderly suicide, skills training for service providers, improvement in service coordination and promotion of mental health among the elders in Hong Kong.

Ms Anita WONG, Chairperson, Steering Committee of Live Life! Joint Project on Prevention of Elderly Suicide says that elderly suicide has aroused much concern in Hong Kong. Compared with other age groups, our elderly suicide rate is persistently high. In 2002, while the suicide rate of all ages in Hong Kong was 16.4/100,000, that of the elderly group (age 60+) was 26.7. More importantly, the rate was in fact increasing with age within the elderly population. To tackle this complicated social issue, we believe that we need joint effort of the NGOs and government departments, as well as collaboration between the welfare and medical sectors.

This 3-day Conference would be a wonderful forum for both local and oversea expertise to exchange knowledge and skills and to bring back home new insights and inspirations in the scope of elderly suicide prevention for the eventual benefits of the well being of the senior members of our respective societies.