The Samaritan Befrienders on Saturday said the suicide rate in Hong Kong for 2022 was the highest in the past 15 years.

The organisation said data from the Coroner's Court showed 1,080 people took their lives last year, which translates to 14.73 for every 100,000 people.

About 60 percent of those who passed away were men.

Almost half, or 477, of the suicide cases were elderly people aged 60 or above. That figure is the highest since 1973, the group said.

It said there is an increasing trend in elderly suicide, probably because the population is ageing.

The NGO said Covid may also have been an aggravating factor since elderly people lost opportunities to work or socialise during the pandemic.

The group said the suicide rate among people in their 20s and 50s also increased.

It called on those in need to seek support and urged the government to devote more resources to mental health services.