Hong Fukun, a postgraduate majoring in chemistry from Beijing-based Tsinghua University committed suicide in Quanzhou, Fujian Province. Before his death, Hong left a short letter claiming that he had failed to find a decent job in Beijing and feared to bring disgrace on his family. Latest statistics show that at least 9 students from Beijing's universities committed suicide in the last ten months. It is roughly estimated that there were 19 suicides from Beijing's universities in 2004, and 15 in 2005.

 

Experts believe 60 percent of these suicides suffered from mental diseases like depression and schizophrenia. Mental diseases have aroused the concern of college teachers in Beijing.

 

It is reported that Hong himself was a mental patient. A month before his suicide, he asked for a sick leave and chose to stay in his aunt's apartment in Quanzhou. His parents thought he had recovered from his mental disease, not expecting he would suddenly committed suicide.

 

Wang Gang, Depression Research Center of Anding Hospital in Beijing, reveals that more and more college students seek their help in recent years, half of them betraying the intention to kill themselves.

 

(Chinanews.cn November 28, 2006)