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World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 is a timely reminder that suicide prevention cannot begin only at the point of crisis. Hong Kong needs strong clinical services and emergency response, but we also need to make help-seeking simpler and more socially acceptable long before a person reaches breaking point.

For many people, the hardest step is the first one: admitting they are struggling and reaching out. Stigma, fear of judgment, and the belief that they should “handle it themselves” can delay that first call. This is particularly concerning during periods of heightened stress, including the back-to-school season for students and times of sustained pressure in many workplaces.