Teenage attempted suicide in Hong Kong

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Suicide attempts pose a significant public health challenge globally.
• Understanding the demographic and clinical characteristics of suicide attempters is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
• Previous research on adolescent suicide attempts in Hong Kong is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiological profiles and characteristics of adolescent suicide attempters.
• To identify common methods and precipitating factors associated with suicide attempts.
• To estimate the healthcare burden of attempted suicides in Hong Kong.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records for adolescent suicide attempters.
• Data collection from the Accident and Emergency Department of a regional hospital in Hong Kong.
• Analysis of demographic data, methods used, precipitating factors, and length of hospital stay.

Main Results:

• 101 adolescent suicide attempters (10-24 years) were studied, with females significantly outnumbering males (85 vs 16).
• The 10-19 age group showed a pronounced female predominance (1:11 male-to-female ratio).
• Non-lethal methods, primarily painkillers and sleeping pills, were most common, suggesting lower lethality intent. Interpersonal problems, particularly relationship issues, were the leading precipitating factor, especially among teenage girls.
• Over 90% required hospitalization for observation, averaging 3.3 days, incurring an estimated HK $11.7 million in healthcare costs.

Conclusions:

• Adolescent suicide attempts in Hong Kong are predominantly by females, often involving non-lethal means and triggered by interpersonal conflicts.
• The findings underscore the need for targeted mental health interventions and support systems for adolescents, particularly teenage girls.
• Underestimating the prevalence and impact of attempted suicides could have serious public health consequences.