Tag: RIP

RIP Elaine…

In the early hours of the 27 October 2005 our wonderful friend and colleague Elaine Chow committed suicide in-front of her friends by stepping off the side of a building.

Elaine was a wonderful, vibrant young woman, who brought joy to everyone she met. Her smile could, would and still does brighten both the sunniest and dreariest of days.

Thankfully we all have many memories of Elaine, when I asked her if she’d like to turn her internship at bc into a paid job. She replied, amidst a beaming smile and joyful disbelief “You mean, you want to pay me to eat…” The memory of her beaming smiling face of disbelief as she replied still brings a big smile to my face and a warm glow to my heart – even amidst the agony and pain of the anniversary of her suicide.

It’s been thirteen years since Elaine jumped… I still feel as if I’m running down Jaffe Road. My heart breaks every time my mind replays the screams erupting from my phone, looking up disbelievingly and seeing Elaine falling – so fast, yet in slow motion – towards me.

My brain cannot process the truth of what it sees and my legs will never be moving fast enough to reach and try to catch her… The pain of those images has not faded at all, but nor thankfully have the memories of her smile and the joy she infused to all around her.

RIP Elaine you are deeply deeply missed. You may be gone, but you are never forgotten! You are in our hearts every minute of every day.

Elaine Chow: 14 March, 1986 – 27 October, 2005

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According to government statistics Hong Kong’s suicide rate has fallen slightly over the last few years but still an average of 2.5 people a day commit suicide in Hong Kong.

The World Health Organisation thinks that attempted suicides are 20, yes twenty, times more frequent than completed suicides. That’s 50 people a day in Hong Kong who attempt to commit suicide! 

If you’re thinking of suicide, talk to someone… There is no shame or loss of face in admitting that you need help.
Suicide Prevention Services  2382-0000 www.sps.org.hk
Samaritans Hong Kong: 2896-0000 www.samaritans.org.hk

Ellen Joyce Loo 1986-2018 – RIP

Folktronica and cantopop singer Ellen Joyce Loo who initially found fame and success as part of the band at17 and later as a solo artist was found dead today in Happy Valley.

Sadly it appears the 32 year old singer known for her upbeat and optimistic songs about female and LGBT issues committed suicide.

Loo was born in Toronto and moved to Hong Kong when she was four. In 2001 at the age of 15, she co-formed the popular band, at17, with Eman Lam Yee-man. The critically acclaimed and popular band split in 2010 with Loo releasing several successful albums as a solo artist.

Thank you Ellen for your music, you’ll be sadly missed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6pg05VQTuY
https://youtu.be/zqm5azKS-8c

Elaine Chow: 14 March, 1986 – 27 October, 2005

In loving memory of Elaine Chow our friend and colleague who in the early hours of the 27 October 2005 committed suicide by stepping off a building. Gone, but never ever forgotten!

Elaine was a wonderful, vibrant young woman, who brought joy to everyone she met. Her smile could and would brighten both the sunniest and dreariest of days.

When I asked if she’d like to turn her internship into a job she replied, amidst a beaming smile and joyful disbelief “You mean, you want to pay me to eat…” The memory of her beaming smiling face of disbelief as replied still brings a big smile to my face and a warm glow to my heart.

As I write this with tears running down my cheeks, my heart breaks as my mind replays the screams erupting from my phone, looking up and seeing Elaine falling – so fast, yet in slow motion – to her death. My brain cannot process the truth of what it sees and my legs will never be moving fast enough to reach her… The pain of those images never seems to fade, but nor thankfully do the memories of her smile and the joy she infused to all around her. RIP Elaine you are deeply missed.

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Tragically almost 3 people a day, on average, commit suicide in Hong Kong. It’s the unseen killer across all ages,

Earlier this year many people rightly heaped praise on constable Ifzal Zaffar who talked someone down from a crane. But few wondered what happen to the person he saved. Did they receive the help they needed to resolve the problems that put them on the crane?

If you know someone who’s talking (even jokingly) about suicide talk to them. If you’re thinking of suicide, talk to someone first.
Samaritans Hong Kong: 2896-0000 www.samaritans.org.hk

In Loving Memory of Elaine Chow, Gone But Never Forgotten!

elaine chow

10 years ago, Elaine committed suicide in the early hours of the 27 October 2005.

Elaine was a wonderful, vibrant and happy woman, who brought joy to everyone she met. Her smile could and would brighten both the sunniest and dreariest of days.

When I asked if she’d like to turn her internship into a job she replied, amidst a beaming smile and joyful disbelief “You mean, you want to pay me to eat..” It still brings a big smile to my face.

And while tears run down my cheeks, and my heart breaks as my mind replays the images of Elaine falling to her death – so fast, yet in slow motion as my brain cannot process the truth of what it sees and my legs will never be moving fast enough to reach her… The pain of those images never seems to fade, but nor do the memories of her smile and the joy she infused to all around her. RIP Elaine.

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Almost 3 people a day, on average, commit suicide in Hong Kong, it’s the unseen killer, if you know someone who’s talking (even jokingly) of it get them help/talk to them. If you’re thinking of suicide, please please talk to someone first.

Elaine Chow: 14 March, 1986 – 27 October, 2005

Elaine ChowIn loving memory of Elaine Chow who committed suicide in the early hours of the 27 October 2005. Gone but never forgotten!

Elaine was a wonderful, vibrant and happy woman, who brought joy to everyone she met. Her smile could and would brighten the sunniest and dreariest of days.

Her response to my full-time job offer during her internship was “You mean, you want to pay me to go out and eat”. Writing that here and remembering her radiant smile when she said it, has managed to bring a smile to my face – even through the massive cloak of despair that I still feel at her death.

And while tears run down my cheeks, and my heart breaks as my mind replays the images of Elaine falling to her death – so fast yet in slow motion as my brain cannot process the truth of what it sees and my legs will never be moving fast enough to reach her…

The pain of those memories never seems to fade, but nor I hope will the memories of her smile and the joy she infused to all around her. RIP Elaine.

3 people a day, on average, commit suicide in Hong Kong, it’s the unseen killer, if you know someone who’s talking (even jokingly) of it get them help/talk to them. If you’re thinking of suicide, please please talk to someone first.
Samaritans Hong Kong: 2896-0000 www.samaritans.org.hk