Paul S F Yip1,2, Qijin Cheng1, Shu-Sen Chang3, Esther Sze Tsai Lee1, Chui-Shan Carmen Lai1, Feng Chen4, Yik-Wa Frances Law5, T M Eric Cheng6, Sau Mee Chiu6, Y L Jeff Tse6, Ka-Wai Raymond Cheung7, Man-Li Tse8, Peter R Morgan9, Philip Beh10. 1. 1 HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, SAR. 2. 2 Social Work Department, The University of Hong Kong, SAR. 3. 3 Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences and Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. 4. 4 School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia. 5. 5 Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, SAR. 6. 6 Hong Kong Police College, SAR. 7. 7 Hong Kong Fire Services Department, SAR. 8. 8 Hong Kong Poison Information Centre, Hospital Authority, SAR. 9. 9 Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, SAR. 10. 10 Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, SAR.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The use of the helium suicide method has been increasing in popularity in Hong Kong since 2012. We have learned a valuable lesson in curbing the spread of charcoal burning (CB) suicide in the past 15 years and hope to prevent the helium suicide method from taking off in the community. AIMS: To document what actions have been taken to contain the spread of the helium suicide method and review the preliminary impact of these actions. METHOD: We adopted a public health approach by engaging stakeholders from multiple sectors, including the police force, the fire services department, coroners, pathologists, mass media, and online media outlets. RESULTS: A monitoring system was established by compiling data extracted from news reports, coroners' reports, and police investigations. Risk and protective factors were identified. Intervention strategies were developed to strengthen protective factors and minimize risk factors. This novel suicide method has not spread as rapidly as the CB suicide method. The preliminary outcomes suggest our actions to be effective. LIMITATIONS: The count of helium suicides in 2015 might be low. The impacts of the interventions are only estimated and require additional empirical verifications. CONCLUSION: The public health approach of engaging multiple partners in the early phase of a potential epidemic can be a good guide to meeting the challenges posed by any new suicide methods that emerge in the future.
BACKGROUND: The use of the helium suicide method has been increasing in popularity in Hong Kong since 2012. We have learned a valuable lesson in curbing the spread of charcoal burning (CB) suicide in the past 15 years and hope to prevent the helium suicide method from taking off in the community. AIMS: To document what actions have been taken to contain the spread of the helium suicide method and review the preliminary impact of these actions. METHOD: We adopted a public health approach by engaging stakeholders from multiple sectors, including the police force, the fire services department, coroners, pathologists, mass media, and online media outlets. RESULTS: A monitoring system was established by compiling data extracted from news reports, coroners' reports, and police investigations. Risk and protective factors were identified. Intervention strategies were developed to strengthen protective factors and minimize risk factors. This novel suicide method has not spread as rapidly as the CB suicide method. The preliminary outcomes suggest our actions to be effective. LIMITATIONS: The count of helium suicides in 2015 might be low. The impacts of the interventions are only estimated and require additional empirical verifications. CONCLUSION: The public health approach of engaging multiple partners in the early phase of a potential epidemic can be a good guide to meeting the challenges posed by any new suicide methods that emerge in the future.
Entities:
Keywords:
Hong Kong; helium suicide; public health approach