Specialists Issue Warning Over Youth Suicides

A group of teachers, social workers, psychologists and parents have called on the public to offer more support to young people, to prevent copycat suicides as protests over the extradition bill continue.

The Civil Alliance for Student Suicide Prevention made the remarks after a 21-year-old student plunged to her death at a housing estate in Fanling on Saturday. Reports said she had written anti-extradition messages on a wall at the estate. A protester also died after hanging posters on a high platform at Admiralty on June 15.

The alliance expressed concern over the mental health of young people, many of whom were growing frustrated because the government wasn't responding to their demands.

It said the media and the general public should avoid simplifying the causes of any suicide, or spreading negative messages on social media.

Danny Wong, a psychologist and member of the alliance, urged people to "discuss our sadness or express our emotion with our friends in our own social circle," rather than relying on social media.

A memorial service took place on Sunday night in Admiralty to honour the protesters who died, with people placing flowers in tribute to the pair.

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