Suicide cases from January to September surpass 2021 figures

Macau has recorded 65 cases of suicide since the start of the year, according to data from the Health Bureau (SSM).

During the third quarter, 18 suicide cases were recorded. Among them were nine men and nine women, aged between 24 and 91.

According to the SSM, the cases, 90% of whom are Macau ID holders, were suffering from mental illnesses and chronic diseases.

Suicide cases in the city have been on the rise amid the pandemic; according to surveys, the primary cause of stress is economic or financial pressure.

Earlier this year, the Times reported that Macau had recorded an alarming number of suicide cases in the first quarter of this year, which could be interpreted as hitting a crisis level.

The crisis was echoed by the SSM, which has confirmed that until July, there have been 53 cases of suicide, a figure close to the 60 cases recorded in the entire year of 2021.

The measures undertaken by the government establishing the so-called “state of relative confinement” back in June have highlighted existing problems of mental disorders including depression, anxiety, insomnia, and suicidal tendencies, as several academic studies, experts, and reports from local welfare associations have noted.

Local welfare association Caritas Macau has previously said that, since the beginning of the community outbreak of Covid-19 in June and over a period of just three weeks, the association’s suicide prevention and mental support hotline received over 500 requests for mental help, 18 of them directly related to suicide.

A study co-conducted by researchers from the University of Macau (UM) has found almost 40% of the population in Macau have mental disorders such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

The SSM has called on the public to seek help actively if they have psychological and emotional problems, to prevent these from becoming sources of pressure and mental illness. At the same time, the SSM pledged to keep monitoring the social situation and providing assistance to people in need.

The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) encourages residents to be conscious of their psychological and emotional state as well as those of their relatives and friends. If in need, residents can call Caritas’ Life Hope hotline (28525222) or IAS’ counseling hotline (28261126).