Hongkongers’ depression rating has reached a record high, with a significant increase in serious depression cases compared to 2020, according to a survey conducted by the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong.

香港心理衞生會最新調查顯示，港人的抑鬱指數再創新高，有33%人有中度至重度抑鬱，是同類調查新高，比經歷2019年社會運動及疫情做的調查，抑鬱情況更差，壓力來源主要是家庭、工作、身體及經濟情況。調查亦發現，近兩成半的受訪者出現重度失眠。

In 2022, a total of 61,557 people passed away in Hong Kong. For terminally ill patients, various medical and care options are available. However, as patients approach the last stage of their life, they may not be in a position to make decisions or communicate their wishes. Additionally, family members may not reach a consensus, all of which can add to the pressure and emotional distress felt.

The child suicide rate is low but increasing. It should be zero. The tragedy of loss is real. Schoolchildren coped with the COVID lockdown. Catch-up pressure combined with fractured families adds to the stress. Should the education system embrace holistic well-being to prevent teen suicide?

天水圍一名54歲男子昨晚（24日）被發現在寓所內疑燒炭自殺，當場證實死亡。據悉，事主生前有情緒病紀錄，近日疑受工作問題困擾。對於本港自殺事件近期有上升趨勢，香港大學社會工作及社會行政學系副教授黃蔚澄博士近日分享指，如發現身邊人的行為出現9大警號，有可能是自殺先兆，宜多加注。

【明報專訊】（編按：邱婆婆今年80歲，已患柏金遜症逾廿年，３年前見病情轉差，覆診時向醫生提出希望簽署「預設醫療指示AMD」：「我問醫生，如果最差之時，你會點對我」……）政府正擬就「預設醫療指示（AMD）」及「不作心肺復蘇術命令」立法，港大社會科學學院一項調查發現，約75%受訪者未聽過AMD，近七成從未聽過「安寧照顧」（專為晚期病人而設的身心照顧服務），不過經調查人員簡單解說，三分之二的人表示接受設立AMD。港大社會科學學院社會工作及社會行政學系系主任周燕雯指出，結果反映受訪者對有關議題認識十分貧乏，呼籲加強生死教育，「讓市民及早認識，未雨綢繆」。

Up to 70 percent Hongkongers have not heard of the concept of “end-of-life care” – a type of health care provided in the time leading up to a person’s death, a University of Hong Kong study found, suggesting a lack of life and death education in the city.

Source URL : Lack of life and death education in Hong Kong, HKU study finds | The Standard
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/article/212487/