Throughout the pandemic, social workers have been overwhelmed by worsening mental health and suicidal problems of young people. In 2021, the suicide rate of youths aged 15 to 24 increased to 9.3 (i.e. 9.3 per 100,000 youths in the said age group died by suicide). Also 4 students committed suicide by jumping from height within a month after class resumption in May 2022.

Academic pressure may be the last straw for these young people yet what makes their lives unliveable and what causes their mental health problems? A shameful identity, lost connectedness, or lack of meaning in life? Could we accompany our young people to face their pain and work on changing their circumstances?

The sharing would explore how social distancing under the pandemic has impacted on identity development of young people. Besides, based on the situation of sexual minority youths, the speaker will share his analysis on how youth suicide is related to connectedness, loneliness and sense of belonging, and possible directions for intervention.

Date:              31 March 2023 (Friday)
Time:             10:00a.m. – 1:00p.m. (HKT)
Mode:            Zoom webinar

}}Speaker:   Rob Cover, Professor of Digital Communication at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

}}Language:  Thematic sharings by Prof. Cover will be conducted in English while responses and open discussion will be conducted in Cantonese. English/ Cantonese simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
}}Target:  Social workers and other professionals working with children and youths; social service/ NGO workers interested in the topic.
 

Registration:  Register online (Deadline: March 24, 2023)

Enquires:  2864 2958 (Ms Tang)