Course Description

Nothing surpasses life and death, and the complicated decision to take one’s own life, as an issue of profound significance. Despite the advances in quality of life that have been achieved, the World Health Organization estimates one suicide death worldwide every 40 seconds. Why do some countries have higher suicide rates than others? How do different stakeholders in society understand suicide? What would lead individuals to consider suicide, and what impact does that choice have on those around them? Finally, what new developments have occurred in the field of suicide prevention?

In this course, students will gain a wide range of perspectives to enlighten their understanding of suicide and its prevention. We will traverse an arc that encompasses the very small scale (e.g., neurotransmitters), to individuals (e.g., mental health, bereavement), to societal subpopulations and influences (e.g., means restriction strategies, media effects), to the world at large (e.g., global trends).

Course Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

1. Compare and contrast the trends for suicides in Hong Kong versus other selected places and reflect on enacted policies across countries and regions.
2. Identify and apply appropriate strategies to communicate with others in distress, including high risk contemplators of suicide and those bereaved from suicide losses.
3. Describe some of the common risk and protective factors for suicide at the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels.
4. Compare how suicidal thoughts and suicidal acts are communicated, and evaluate the impact such behaviours have on others.
5. Identify challenges and opportunities for suicide prevention and harm reduction, with an aim for practical interventions.

Offer Semester and Day of Teaching

First and Second semester (course will be offered twice)
Section 1 – First semester (Wed); Section 2 – Second semester (Wed)