A 15-year-old secondary school student has taken his own life on Sunday morning. He was the third to die in four attempted suicides by Hong Kong students within eight days.

The boy died at Kam Tai Court, a public housing estate in Ma On Shan around 9am on Sunday.

Ma On Shan
Kam Tai Court. Photo: Chong Fat via Wikicommons.

HK01 reported that his suicide may be related to worries over academic grades, as his secondary school was about to announce results.

Last Wednesday morning, a 12-year-old student attempted to take her own life at Lower Wong Tai Sin Estate, also reportedly due to academic pressure. She was prevented from doing so by firefighters and policemen.

The latest incidents follow two student deaths from suicide immediately after the end of the Chinese New Year holidays. A 16-year-old died on February 5 in Ma On Shan, while a 13-year-old died on February 6 in Tsing Yi.

Ma On Shan
Kam Tai Court on Sunday.

35 cases of student suicide were reported last year.

If you are experiencing negative feelings, please call: The Samaritans 2896 0000 (24-hour, multilingual), Suicide Prevention Centre 2382 0000 or the Social Welfare Department 2343 2255. The Hong Kong Society of Counseling and Psychology provides a WhatsApp hotline in English and Chinese: 6218 1084.

Elson Tong is a graduate of international relations and former investigations consultant. He has also written for Stand News.