The Health Bureau (SSM) said in a statement yesterday that it recorded 22 suicides in the fourth quarter.
According to the statement, 21 cases (95.5 percent) involved local residents, while the other involved a non-local resident. The statement noted that in the last year, Macau had a total of 60 cases of suicide, which was a drop of 21.1 percent year-on-year.
The statement said that according to World Health Organisation (WHO) research, in 2019 over 700,000 people committed suicide globally, noting that one of every 100 cases of death was caused by suicide. The statement pointed out that even though the reasons for suicide can be complicated they are usually caused by mental disease, psychological factors, socio-economic reasons, family struggles, interpersonal relationships or biological inheritance. The statement stressed that committing suicide is avoidable, adding that a united community is the key to preventing suicidal thoughts.
The bureau urged residents to pay close attention to people around them to help prevent suicide cases from occurring. The bureau encouraged residents to stay connected, communicate more often and care more about people who are struggling emotionally.
The bureau also said that its psychology clinics in Tap Seac, Fai Chi Kei, Areia Preta, Ocean Gardens and other locations are open to the public. Those who need free psychological consultations can call Caritas Macau’s lifeline on 2852 5222, to seek help.
