XN000022-1995-10-18 — Page 56

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Reply:

Suicide is a complex problem. It can be prompted by a wide range of causes - emotional depression, declining health, terminal illness or a feeling of loneliness, of being abandoned. Given timely assistance and counselling, suicide can be avoided in most cases.

To reduce the risk of elderly people attempting suicide, it is necessary to provide a range of services designed to help them feel that they are continuing to participate in and contribute to the community. We are doing this through an ongoing major expansion of social centres and multi-service centres for the elderly.

In addition, in a bid to strengthen the functions of multi-service centres and to widen their contacts, the older volunteer and the volunteer workers programmes have been launched in ten multi-service centres for the elderly since October this year. These programmes are designed to foster links between elderly people and the community in which they live. The older volunteers programme, in particular, provides for elderly people who are still active to reach out to other elderly persons to provide help.

In addition to these preventive measures, outreaching and crisis intervention services are provided. Community based geriatric and psychogeriatric teams as well as the family services centres and psychiatric social workers under SWD all provide professional guidance and counselling. Elderly people and the public can also call the Social Welfare Department for information and assistance when necessary.

As a long term strategy, the Government will continue to strengthen the existing and newly provided services, and promotional and educational activities will be organised at district level. The Government, family members and the public, play an important role in tackling the problem. Family members and neighbours should show greater concern for the old people around them and pay more attention to their daily lives. If there are elderly persons in need of help, the Social Welfare Department or relevant non-governmental organisations can be contacted. The services are there - the major challenge is to ensure that those who most need them are brought into contact with them. The active participation of the public can help us in doing this task.

End/Wednesday, October 18, 1995