3.
4.
5.
Coming behind economic uncertainty, which may be a causal factor
as many as 56% of suicides in llong Kong, is the factor of somatic illness. Yap reports that this is involved in 28% of Hong Kong suicide cases. One may also rule this out as a possible cause of suicide in Mr. Liu's case, since his health record is shown to be excellent. In fact, this factor is usually involved in suicides of persons over 50 years of age, and in cases of persons suffering an incurable disease, or one that is extremely painful.
Less important factors uncovered by Yap in his statistical study of suicide in Hong Kong are interpersonal conflict and insanity.
I searched Liu's diary for evidence of any interpersonal conflicts, for example, a love triangle, which might have been trying him emotionally. I found only one such entry in the diaries, and that. was from one year ago. One should point out, however, that Liu's diary entries were somewhat irregular.
Colleagues and students who were close to Liu and familiar with his social relationships can recall no instance of a significant interpersonal conflict between Liu and another person, male or
female.
The four factors analysed above are the major causes of suicide. Since none of these seems to be present in the case of Mr. Liu, one must search for other possible suicide factors. Insanity is a broad factor which some suicidologists weigh to be a frequent force underlying cases of suicide.
By long term insanity, one refers to such clinical syndromes as depression (prolonged reaction of hopelessness and helplessness to change the difficulties); hysteria (extreme emotional over-reaction); schizophrenia (false perception of the external world, and inability to behave according to the socially sanctioned norms); and alienation (a deep experience of separation and loneliness away from family, friends, colleagues).
on);