By Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, OFM
As the saying goes, “Even ants cling to life,” so why would human beings, regarded as the crown of Creation, choose to commit suicide? Yet in Hong Kong alone, 1,019 suicide deaths were recorded in 2025. Although this marks a six-year low, it remains higher than the World Health Organisation’s global average. What is even more alarming is that the youth suicide rate has risen against the trend, reaching a 10-year high.
In Hong Kong—a bustling metropolis that relentlessly pursues high efficiency—the pace of life is fast, living space is cramped, and human relationships often become distant. Even within families, there is precious little time to gather and talk, let alone listen to and confide in one another.
Under these circumstances, it is hardly surprising that people easily experience a profound sense of loneliness and helplessness, giving rise to suicidal thoughts. The high youth suicide rate is inextricably linked to a pervasive culture of competition and elite education. Through a pipeline of collective anxiety, these factors translate societal pressures into mental burdens within the family.
How can faith help us confront this plight and emerge from the trough? Our faith has never been a magic spell for escaping reality. Rather, by discovering and rebuilding our relationship with God, it alters how we view ourselves, others, and our circumstances. Within the love of God and our brothers and sisters, we receive a constant stream of vitality.
What is our relationship with God? We are all his children, and he is our Heavenly Father. He assures us with certainty: “I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you” [Hebrews 13:5]. In an ever-changing world, his love remains steadfast. This companionship is fully manifested in our Lord Jesus, who became man, serving as a powerful weapon in our fight against loneliness.
Where does our value lie? Hong Kong culture often defines success or failure by wealth, job title, or academic credentials. This utilitarian mindset is the very source of helplessness. Faith reveals to us that human beings are made in the image of God, and that everyone’s existence is inherently of immense value. We are called not to chase after fame, fortune, or status, but to respond to God’s love and fulfil our lives by loving and caring for others. In doing so, we can liberate ourselves from the powerlessness of floating with the tide and rediscover the meaning of life.
How can we break down these barriers? Our Lord Jesus pointed the way long ago: “Love one another” [John 13:34]. While people in Hong Kong tend to be quite guarded, the Church embodies the concept of a family. Within this community, everyone is encouraged to take off their masks, bear one another’s burdens, and put into practice loving one’s neighbour as oneself. Through the mutual dynamic of caring for and being cared for by others, we can tear down the walls of loneliness and build genuine human relationships.
Of course, no matter how wonderful this sounds, it ultimately depends on how we live it out. Dear brothers and sisters, let us pray together for the Lord’s grace, so that in this city where the suicide rate remains high, we may act as bearers of hope!
