2026 World Suicide Prevention Day Joint Press Conference

September 10 is annual World Suicide Prevention Day. The HKU Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP) and the Hong Kong Press Council will co-host a press conference on Thursday, September 10, 2026 (Thursday). The conference will present and analyze Hong Kong’s latest suicide statistics, as well as release the findings of their collaborative study supported by The Hong Kong Better Foundation: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Traditional Media, Social Media, and Suicide in Hong Kong. The study reveals nuanced correlations between traditional media reporting, the social media ecosystem, and suicide rates, highlighting a critical issue that requires immediate attention across all sectors.

Prof. Paul Yip, Director of CSRP, together with Ms. Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Press Council, and Vice-Chairman Prof. Scarlet Tso, will present detailed findings at the press conference. In an era where every individual acts as an information disseminators, they will call upon media professionals to exercise self-regulation and urge the general public to share the responsibility of becoming "responsible information disseminators."

Details of the press conference are as follows:

About HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP), HKU

Founded in 2002, the CSRP is based at the Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong. The Centre is dedicated to researching the causes and prevention of self-harm and suicide, and collaborates with local and international partners to promote the Public Health Approach to suicide prevention. In addition to conducting academic research, the Centre coordinates training and interventions to promote good mental health in the community. As Hong Kong's primary suicide surveillance center, CSRP continuously monitors self-harm and suicide trends, providing accurate information and insights to the media and policymakers.

About the Hong Kong Press Council

Established in July 2000, the Hong Kong Press Council is the city’s first professional self-regulatory body dedicated to receiving public complaints regarding newspaper content. It is an independent, non-profit charitable organisation recognised by the HKSAR Government. In recent years, the Council has actively promoted media and information literacy education. To ensure independent and impartial operation, both the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen are appointed from non-industry members. The Council currently comprises 10 member newspapers, including Hong Kong Economic Journal, Ming Pao, Hong Kong Economic Times, South China Morning Post, Sing Tao Daily, The Standard, Hong Kong Commercial Daily, Bastille Post, China Daily, and am730.

About The Better Hong Kong Foundation

Founded in 1995, The Better Hong Kong Foundation is a privately funded, independent, non-profit organisation with no political affiliation. It is dedicated to facilitating communication and building bridges between Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the international community. The Foundation’s core mission is to uphold the integrity of the "One Country, Two Systems" framework and the Basic Law, which serve as the essential cornerstone of the Hong Kong SAR. Through constructive dialogue and close collaboration with the business sector, the Foundation presents an authentic narrative of Hong Kong and Mainland China to the world, showcasing the city's unique charm and economic potential under the belief that mutual trust and cooperation foster positive global impact.

Media Enquiries

HKU Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP)
Dr. Wendy So
Tel: 3917 3885    Email: csrp@hku.hk

Hong Kong Press Council
Ms. Sze
Tel: 6112 831       Email: enquiry@presscouncil.org.hk