Suicides rose to 88 in 2023

Macau saw a total of 88 suicides in 2023, slightly higher than the 80 recorded in 2022.

In a statement from the Health Bureau (SSM), data shows that 57 of the cases were men, with the fourth quarter of last year recording the highest number, with 20 cases involving men.

The youngest of all cases was 14 years old, while the oldest was 92 years old.

According to the SSM, suicide may be related to mental illness, chronic or physical diseases, gambling or financial problems.

Early last year, data from the Bosco Youth Service Network shows that the number of teenagers seeking mental health services has remained steady, noting that even one case is “too many.”

The network has stated that teenagers sometimes hide their negative emotions from their school and student counselors.

In 2022, the public hospital’s Department of Psychiatry diagnosed a total of 200 residents with common mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and others.

According to the SSM, although the figure was similar to the annual average of past years, Caritas noted that as of August 2023, its Life Hotline had received nearly 6,947 calls and online requests seeking assistance. Of these, 527 callers were suffering from depression, and 179 were on the verge of suicide due to depression.

Lawmaker Ella Lei has previously condemned Macau’s current workforce of psychiatrists and psychologists as being too small to support the population’s mental health needs.

Currently, there are 16 psychiatrists and 86 psychologists working across public and private medical facilities in the city.

For Lei, this is evidence that “there is not enough support for mental health in Macau. The government needs to work on developing this industry, and [encouraging] professional careers [in mental health].”

Macau has just one psychiatrist per 42,100 people and one psychologist per 7,800 people, as cited in a previous TDM report.

The government is appealing to people with emotional problems to seek professional support as soon as possible. 

In order to help reduce the incidence of suicide, the SSM called on citizens to monitor their mental health and encourage people who are emotionally distressed to actively seek professional assistance.
The causes of suicide are complex and often involve several factors. Therefore, SSM reminds those suffering or facing difficulties to seek help from health professionals.

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).