Youth mental health and suicide trends in East Asia

Data from Hong Kong indicates a significant rise in the suicide rate among children under the age of 15. While the overall suicide rate in Hong Kong saw a slight decline from 13.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024 to 13.0 per 100,000 in 2025, the rate for those under 15 increased from 0.9 per 100,000 to 2.9 per 100,000 during that period. Researchers noted that the majority of the 15 known cases in this age group were male.

Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai, founding director of the University of Hong Kong’s Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, described the trend as “very alarming.” Identified contributing factors include intense academic pressure, peer relationship issues, and the aggressive use of social media.

In response to mental health challenges, Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare reported that its support program for young adults has served over 57,000 people as of August, providing free psychological counseling. Experts in the region have emphasized the need for media self-regulation to prevent the negative impact of social media discussions following suicide incidents and have called for shifting the social narrative from stigma to support.