Media

HKU Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention to hold “Connected for Life” press conference

23 Jun 2016

 

The HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP) of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) will hold a press conference on June 29 (Wednesday) with the theme “Connected for Life.”

To prevent student suicides, CSRP worked with Facebook, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) and The Samaritans to publish the booklet “Help a Friend” to provide information on how to appropriately help people who are emotionally distressed or have suicidal tendency. Save the Children Hong Kong will assist in the promotion of the booklet, which will be officially released at the press conference. Representatives from CSRP, the  social media industry and social service organisations will take the opportunity to promote public awareness of suicide prevention and call for public support to help those vulnerable. They hope community members will act as good Samaritans to help each other and be connected for life. They  will also share their experiences of reaching out to provide support to vulnerable young people. 

Details of the press conference are as follows:
Date: June 29, 2016 (Wednesday)
Time: 3:30 pm (Media registration begins at 3:15pm)
Venue: CPD 2.42, Centennial Campus, HKU
Language: Cantonese (English is available for Q&A session)
Moderator: Professor Paul YIP (Director of CSRP, HKU)

Panelists (In alphabetical order of surname):

•  Mr. George CHEN (Head of Public Policy, Hong Kong & Taiwan, Facebook)
•  Ms. Amy FONG (Chief Executive, Save the Children Hong Kong)
•  Ms. Siu Man HSU (Supervisor, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups)
•  Professor George WOO (Chairman of the Board, The Samaritans)

Programme:
3:30 – 3:40 Professor Yip delivering latest suicide statistics
3:40 – 3:45 Release “Help a Friend” booklet and video showing
3:45 – 4:05 Panel sharing:

•  Mr. George CHEN
•  Ms. Siu Man HSU
•  Professor George WOO
•  Ms. Amy FONG

4:05 – 4:30 Q&A session

About HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP), HKU
Founded in 2002, the CSRP has been promoting the use of Public Health Approach in tackling suicide problems in Hong Kong. The CSRP has established its reputation in suicide research and prevention worldwide and extended its research scope to well-being of individuals as well as the whole society. The CSRP believes in that empirical research would optimize practices and ultimately contribute to the improvement of a society.

About the partners (in alphabetical order)
Facebook was founded in 2004. Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what’s going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them.

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (hkfyg.org.hk | m21.hk) was founded in 1960 and is now the city’s largest youth service organisation. For the last 54 years, it has been committed to serving the youth of Hong Kong through the provision of a variety of services, activities and programmes, which have an annual attendance of over five million. We encourage youth to reach their fullest potential and with community support, we now have over 60 service units. We also have 12 core services, which include the Youth S.P.O.Ts, M21 Multimedia Services, Employment Services, Youth at Risk Services, Counselling Services, Parenting Services, Leadership Training, Volunteer Services, Education Services, Creativity Education and Youth Exchange, Leisure, Cultural and Sports Services, and Research and Publications. We encourage young people to grow into responsible and dutiful citizens and we now have over 170,000 registered volunteers and 410,000 registered members. We believe that our motto “HKFYG • Here for You” reaffirms our commitment and dedication to the young people of Hong Kong.

The Samaritans is a non-profit, non-religious organisation giving confidential emotional support to people who are suicidal or are in emotional or mental distress through our 24-hour hotline and email service. Our service is provided to anyone regardless of age, creed, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation since 1974. Last year, The Samaritans provided hotline service to over 30,000 callers.

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Hong Kong and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. We have 30 national organizations working together to deliver programmes in around 120 countries. Save the Children Hong Kong was established in 2009.

Media enquiries:
Mr. Rickey YAU
Tel.: 2831 5232
Email: csrp@hku.hk