Statistics show that every year in China at least 250,000 people kill themselves and 2 million more attempt suicide. Suicide has become the biggest cause of death of the age group 15 to 34 in China according to Beijing Psychological Crisis Research and Intervention Center. When one person commits suicide, the death affects their families, relatives and friends. The effect is emotional, social and economic. It is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that total economic damage caused by suicide is as high as dozens of billions of US dollars each year.

September 10, 2003, is the first World Suicide Intervention Day named by the WHO and the International Suicide Intervention Association.

To mark the first World Suicide Intervention Day, a consultation activity aimed to attract attention to this serious social problem was held on September 8 at Beijing Xidan Square by the Beijing Psychological Crisis Research and Intervention Center. Dozens of famous experts in the fields of psychiatry, mental health, women’s issues and juvenile issues provided on-the-spot consultation services for several hundred Beijing citizens.

It is said that juveniles and women are the most vulnerable groups subject to suicide in China.

According to Prof. Nie Zhengwei, vice secretary-in-chief at the Beijing College Mental Quality Study Association and a renowned youth issues expert, juveniles face huge social pressure when they fail to get the necessary relevant education and then experience setbacks. They may not been emotionally strong and lack problem-solving abilities under pressure.

To protect youngsters from suicide, social work needs the help of the whole of society. Suicide can never be regarded as only personal behavior, or something that just happens to someone else, Prof. Nie went on. Both schools and families should play a more active role to help juveniles overcome their problems and work hard to improve issues such as self esteem and strength of character

As for the high women suicide rates in China, Ms. Lin Yalan, a well-known women’s issues expert with Hong Feng Women Psychology Consultation Center, holds the view that Chinese women in general face higher pressure than men, as they can be more emotional. Women have to face the same pressure in work as men as well as being expected to be good housewives at home. Family violence also contributes to the cause.  In addition, women have to face pressures from children. Once children encounter problems in study or in life, mothers can find it easy to feel guilty and to blame themselves.

How to reduce the suicide rate in women? Lin Yanan gave the following two suggestions. First, women should learn to make better use of social resources and seek timely help from society. For example, when they feel frustrated, they should turn to their relatives and families for support. Second, they should enlarge their interests and hobbies. By participating in social activities, they can shift their focus from their husbands and children and become more open-minded.

Cao Lianyuan, president of Hui Long Guan Hospital and the dean of Beijing Psychological Crisis Research and Intervention Center, said, so far no effective way has been found to reduce suicide yet it is certain that many positive factors will help. This includes better self-confidence, enough social support, and a stable and happy marriage.

One of the effective means of suicide intervention is the early diagnosis and timely treatment of mental illness. Apart from this, offering telephone consultation and providing professional intervention by special organizations can work.

Nine months have passed since the founding of the Beijing Psychological Crisis Research and Intervention Center. The center meets huge demands for crisis intervention. Sometimes they get 800 calls in a single day. Every week, schools, hospitals and women’s federations come to the center for help. However, given the current situation, the center still lacks enough personnel to support a high-quality service. The development of an advanced suicide intervention service organization can be a long process and is certainly money consuming.

(China.org.cn by Zheng Guihong September 10, 2003)