The recent tragic suicide of two university students in Anhui province has triggered increased concern over the mental health of young people. A police investigation showed that the two young victims made a suicide pact via QQ, a popular instant messaging platform. At the same time, a recent survey revealed that there are many such social media groups in which young people communicate about suicide.

Youth suicides have been in the headlines frequently over the past several years, and these two university students are only the latest case. To avoid more such tragedies, police say society should pay more attention to the mental health of young people, and that online groups promoting suicide should be investigated and punished.

Lawyers pointed out that there is currently no clear rule defining suicide as a crime. Therefore, instigating suicides does not constitute a crime either. Nevertheless, any person who guides a minor and/or mental patient to commit suicide may be identified a murder suspect.