Four people have killed themselves leaving a note or reference to the protests against the territory’s extradition bill.
By Siobhan Robbins, Southeast Asia correspondent
Twenty minutes from the #Chinese mainland, a #HongKong community is grieving.
A young life has been lost; a 21-year-old woman fell to her death last Saturday.
Lo Hiu Yan’s friends say she left a message demanding the controversial extradition bill be withdrawn.
Her #suicide is one of four in the last three weeks where a note or reference has been found to the ongoing political crisis.
“I feel a bit powerless. I don’t know why she tried to do this, to end her life,” her friend, Dennis, 26, sobbed. “I just feel regret and I really hope that no more #HongKong people try to end their lives like this.”
At a vigil where Lo died, neighbours join strangers in prayer.
People carry white flowers which they pile around flickering tea-lights.
Mourning is a traditionally private affair in #HongKong, but these deaths have prompted public outpourings of grief.
Some have started calling them “martyrs”, saying they died for the cause.
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Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
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On 15 June, a 35-year-old man wearing a yellow raincoat jumped from a building near the city’s parliament.
Police spent hours trying to talk Mr Leung down.
His yellow jacket declaring “Carrie Lam is murdering #HongKong” has become a symbol of the protest.
It’s depicted in pro-democracy artwork and posters, and people carry copies of it through the streets on marches.
On #socialmedia, he is celebrated by some as a freedom fighter or hero.
It’s a worrying situation for the city’s psychologists who fear that with no solution in sight, copycat #suicides could follow.
“I think it’s probably the first time we have witnessed this in #HongKong,” explained Dr Eliza Cheung, clinical psychologist for the Hong Kong Red Cross.
“We are worried that some of the protesters’ deaths are being glorified, especially on social media, and this could pose some risk factors, especially to those who have some pre-existing #mentalhealth conditions.”
Experts say #suicide is unlikely to have one single trigger and that one event should not be seen as the only cause of a complex issue.
#HongKong’s summer of discontent is putting a strain on residents.
A crisis hotline run by The Samaritan Befrienders group has seen a surge in calls relating to the extradition bill.
Between March and the end of May they got just eight calls. In June, that rose to 36. In the first five days of July they’ve already had 18.
A similar service run by the Red Cross received 99 calls between 12 June and 3rd July.
The callers are young and old, worried parents, frustrated protesters and demoralised #policeofficers.
It seems no-one is immune from the stress, with Robert Wong, chairman of the Samaritan Befrienders, warning #HongKong could be on the brink of a mental health crisis.
“This event, no matter if you are for or against, it will not be a one- or two-day issue. It will be a long term issue to discuss and argue, so if we continue to have this kind of tense, emotional disturbance for everybody in #HongKong, it definitely will be a crisis,” he told Sky News.
Despite the pressure, the government is refusing to back down and meet the demonstrators’ demands.
Hong Kong’s chief secretary for administration, Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, admitted to reporters that youth welfare is a major concern.
“Nothing is more important than life and we should do everything we can to help people, particularly those suffering from various #mentaldepression in the present environment. If they feel they are in difficulty, they should consult professionals and talk to their relatives, talk to their friends,” he said.
But so far the peaceful marches have failed to secure the protesters’ demands. So too has the storming of parliament and as hopelessness and frustration grows, some in this city are becoming increasingly desperate.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
