29 suicides recorded in the first half of 2019

Macau (MNA) – The Health Bureau (SS) indicated on Tuesday that the number of suicides recorded in Macau the first half of this year went down 9.4 per cent year-on-year to 29 cases.

Just between April and June of this year, 14 suicides were reported, with all cases involving local residents, eight males, and six females.

The causes of suicide are complex and often involve mental illness, psychological factors, socioeconomic factors, family factors, human relations factors and biological genetic factors.

The World Health Organization has noted that worldwide, over 800,000 suicides are reported annually, which is equivalent to one person committing suicide every 40 seconds.

‘The causes of suicide are complex and often involve mental illness, psychological factors, socioeconomic factors, family factors, human relations factors and biological genetic factors,’ the SS stated.

The health authorities noted that its centres in Tap Seac, Fai Chi Kei, Areia Preta, Ocean Gardens and Nossa Senhora do Carmo all provide external mental health consultations.

The SS also provides grants, technical assistance, and support for local non-profit associations such as the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau (UGAMM) and the Women’s General Association of Macau – to set up community counseling bodies.