“We aim to charge our clients the minimum cost for our services, but many people are unwilling to pay even that. For instance, we charge only MOP100 per night, whereas the typical cost should be MOP1,000,” he said, when referring to the charge for a caregiver to take care of an elderly person for a day.
Fresh data from the government shows that the elderly dependency ratio for the local population rose by 1.7 percentage points to 24.8%, equivalent to about four adults supporting one older adult.
Lifehope Hotline trends among younger callers
Data from Caritas Macau shows that Lifehope Hotline is being increasingly used by younger residents seeking assistance for mental and emotional distress.
The entity’s free and confidential support services, available via phone, SMS and WhatsApp, is being accessed by greater numbers of people aged between 10 and 20 years old. Their main reasons for seeking help include “mental health, emotional, and family factors, as well as depression and anxiety.”
Paul Pun, secretary-general of Caritas Macau, said that there has been an increase in younger callers seeking helps with suicidal ideations.
“The calls involve young people aged 10 to 20, who express suicidal thoughts and intentions,” Pun explained to the Times.
“The callers are younger and that is maybe because our telephone number is well presented in our suicide prevention program,” he added.
Macau recorded a total of 88 suicides in 2023, higher than the 80 recorded in 2022. In a statement from the Health Bureau (SSM), data shows that 57 of the cases were men, with the fourth quarter of last year recording the highest number, with 20 cases involving men.
Just late last week, authorities reported that a male teenager passed away due to an apparent suicide.
Caritas Macau has launched numerous programs for high school teachers and students to recognize suicidal behavior and provide support. One such program, the “Life Goalkeeper” program, offers three or seven-hour sessions to raise awareness among teachers and provide hotline numbers for government assistance in suicide cases.
The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) encourages residents to be conscious of their psychological and emotional state as well as that of their friends and relatives. If in need, residents can call Caritas’ Life Hope hotline (28525222) or the IAS counseling hotline (28261126). LV
