Suicides reveal rural seniors' desperation

Many take their own lives so as not to be a burden on their children, according to one researcher, as Tang Yue reports

Editor's note: This is the last in a recent series of reports by China Daily looking at the lives of elderly people, the problems they face and ongoing efforts to improve their standards of living. Also, the story aims to raise awareness about suicide prevention among seniors as Sept 10 is the annual World Suicide Prevention Day.

Fang Fengying lost her only child in 2002, when her 19-year-old daughter fell to her death from a four-meter high ledge in the suburbs of Beijing.