Sandy Sinn M.Ed

02/08/2025

I recently spoke with a parent who shared a concern I often hear, expressed in many different ways:

“If we talk openly about su***de, doesn’t that make it seem like it’s just a normal part of life?”

This question comes from a place of deep care and the desire to protect our children. But the truth is, normalizing these conversations is not about making su***de acceptable—it’s about making it normal and safe to talk about pain and struggles without shame or fear.

Many families and communities have unspoken rules like:

🛑 Be strong
🛑 Keep your feelings to yourself
🛑 Don’t show vulnerability

But imagine if things were different. Imagine if saying “I’m feeling I can’t go on anymore” was met with the same kindness and attention as saying “I had a tough day at school”. Imagine if at home, in the car, or at school, young people felt safe to share their thoughts overwhelming feelings and were met with listening ears and open hearts—not silence or discomfort. 🏡🚗🏫💙

Every time we open these conversations, we send a message that:

✔️ Feelings matter, no matter how heavy they feel.
✔️ No one is alone in their struggle.
✔️ Seeking help is a strength, not a weakness. 💪🌟

Some might worry that making these talks “normal” downplays the seriousness of su***de.

But in fact, normalizing doesn’t lessen the pain—it reduces shame and creates space for hope to grow long before someone reaches a crisis point. 🌱🌞

So, I ask you as a parent:

❓ How would your family change if talking about hard feelings was as natural as asking about your child’s day?
❓ What if your child knew they could say, “I’m struggling,” and be met with kindness, not fear or worry?
❓ How might just one honest conversation at home become the lifeline your child needs?

Let’s work toward homes where expressing emotions is safe and welcomed, and where no child feels they have to carry their pain alone.
Because, in the end, normalizing the conversation about su***de is opening the door to hope.



Sandy Sinn Vietnam Institute of Psychology Ha Vu Christina Noble Children's Foundation Tabitha Kim Luong

01/08/2025

This weekend, as I prepare for the safeTALK workshop happening on a university campus next week, I’m reflecting on the winding journey that led us here. Over the last six months, every step—finding the right allies, building trust, drafting and redrafting proposals, and sending those persistent follow-ups—felt like moving uphill. The truth is, stigma and taboo around su***de still run deep. For any campus to open their doors to these conversations takes immense courage, vulnerability, and vision.

👩👦 A Mother’s Worry, An Educator’s Mission

For me, this isn’t just professional—it’s deeply personal. My own son is about to leave for university as an international student, stepping into all the unknowns of campus life: making new friends, handling social expectations, coping with pressure, and sometimes, facing moments of loneliness far from home. My hope as a mother lives side by side with my mission as a su***de prevention educator.

🌱 Breaking Stigma, Building Hope

Cultural and institutional taboos don’t simply vanish, and having honest conversations can be uncomfortable for everyone involved. Bringing this workshop to life asked a lot from campus partners; saying “yes” wasn’t easy. But every challenging discussion, revised proposal, and quiet moment of agreement reinforced why this work is both hard and essential.

🌏 The Urgency: Why This Network Matters

The data makes the stakes clear. Su***de is still the second leading cause of death among university-aged youth worldwide. International students, highlighted in Orygen’s research, are especially vulnerable—often isolated, less likely to seek help, and trying to hide their struggles.

A single life lost sends shockwaves through a university—touching classmates, roommates, professors, and entire families. The ripple spreads farther than we realize. No campus, no community, is immune.

🛡️ Creating a Network of Safety—And How safeTALK Helps

A Network of Safety means every member of a campus—students, lecturers, support staff—becomes part of a web of awareness and care. It’s about building a culture where people look out for each other, can speak openly about su***de, and know how to support someone before crisis strikes.

LivingWorks safeTALK is the evidence-based training. It empowers anyone to notice warning signs, start supportive conversations, and connect their peers to professional help. By growing this network, we turn bystanders into gatekeepers and transform silence into meaningful support.

🔥 This Is My ‘Why’

Six months of persistent effort just to realize a single safeTALK training? Some might view that as slow. I see proof that real, lasting change takes time, trust, and relentless advocacy.

That’s my commitment: personally and professionally, to ensure every campus builds a true safety net, so no student slips through the cracks unseen or unheard.

Next week’s workshop is only one step—but a meaningful one. And it’s just the beginning.

Vietnam Institute of Psychology LivingWorks Australia Christina Noble Children's Foundation Sandy Sinn Ha Vu Tabitha Kim Luong Saigon South International School CIS - The Canadian International School Vietnam

23/07/2025

I Have a Dream—Journeys That Begin With a Dream 🌅

I have a dream—a vision that stirs me before dawn and propels me into each new day. This vision isn’t just a wish; it’s the spark that has always started movements, reshaped communities, and healed deep wounds. It’s a reminder that every great change begins with someone daring to imagine something better—and sharing that dream until it’s impossible to ignore. 💭🔥

When One Dream Inspires Millions ✊🌍

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dared to dream aloud, inviting a nation to imagine a world built on equality and courage. His “I have a dream” was not only his—it became everyone’s, because it set hearts and minds in motion.

Three Dads: From Pain to Purpose 💔➡️❤️

This same force—of dreaming and persisting—brought together Andy, Mike, and Tim in the UK. Their journey began in grief no parent should have to endure. Yet even in heartbreak, a dream took shape: a future where no family would be left behind by silence or stigma. They refused to accept tragedy as fate and instead walked across Britain, every step driven by the hope of sparing others the pain they knew too well. 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️

Their dream inspired a nation, raising over £1.5 million for PAPYRUS and changing public policy so that, from 2026, it is mandatory that su***de prevention lesson be in every UK secondary school.

Their dream, once personal, is now changing lives, turning sorrow into strength, and hope into law. 💪🏫❤️‍🩹

Pickleball: The Leap From Backyard to Global Stage 🏓🤩

Behind every revolution—no matter how unlikely—lies a dream. Pickleball, once a little-known backyard game, existed only because someone saw possibility and nurtured it. I remember picking up my first paddle, surrounded by skepticism. But someone’s dream kept bouncing, spreading across communities, and now, in 2028, it will grace the Olympic stage.

A global celebration—all because a dream, once small and private, was shared, believed in, and built upon. 🥇🌟

Changing What’s Possible—When Dreams Join Forces 🌱🌍

The transformation of Positive Education and S*x & Relationship Education into mainstream subjects proves the same truth. Their journey from taboo to classroom staple began with a handful of dreamers—teachers, parents, advocates—refusing to accept less for the next generation.

These aren’t just separate stories. At their heart, each began when someone dared to envision what didn’t yet exist and invited others to help create it. Dreams link us together, transforming pain into purpose, games into global movements, and taboo into tradition. 🔗

Imagine a future where su***de prevention, support, and honest conversation become as ordinary and vital as any lesson or Olympic sport.



Sandy Sinn Vietnam Institute of Psychology Christina Noble Children's Foundation Chiang Rai International School Tabitha Kim Luong Saigon South International School

19/07/2025

The 3 Dads Walking: A Call to Hong Kong—Let’s Make a Stand for Our Children

No parent should ever have to lose a child to su***de. 💔 This unbearable truth drove three fathers—Andy Airey, Mike Palmer, and Tim Owen—to take an extraordinary stand. Each lost a beloved daughter to su***de, and together as the “3 Dads Walking,” they turned their unimaginable grief into a powerful movement for change.

They walked across England raising awareness, breaking stigma, and demanding that su***de prevention be taught in every school.

Their campaign succeeded: starting September 2026, all secondary schools in England will include su***de prevention lessons as part of the curriculum. 📚✨

This groundbreaking shift proves su***de prevention isn’t just the work of mental health professionals—it’s the responsibility of communities, schools, families, and every person who cares about young lives.

What If Hong Kong Led the Way Next?

Imagine classrooms where:

💪Students learn to recognize warning signs, ask the hardest questions with compassion, and guide friends to help—just like any other subject.
‼️The silence breaks, stigma fades, and hope takes root.

An Urgent Call to Action: To the Education Bureau, Secretary for Education Christina Yu, School Leaders, Educators, and Parents

Why wait for heartbreak to force change?

Hong Kong’s youth face immense pressures, and the need to act is urgent. We call on the Education Bureau and Secretary Yu to champion and mandate su***de prevention education in every school by 2026.

We also urge school leaders and educators to step forward, integrating su***de alertness training like LivingWorks
safeTALK that teach secondary students practical skills to notice, ask, and connect peers to help. And parents—your voice and involvement are vital. Together with schools, families create a strong, united network of care. 🙌❤️

When all adults in a child’s life share responsibility, we build a community where no one suffers alone. Because no parent, and no family, should ever lose their child to su***de. The time to act is now.

Let’s follow the example set by the 3 Dads Walking—and make su***de prevention everyone’s business in Hong Kong.

https://lnkd.in/gFfnu_dk

***dePrevention

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16iTrUuf8p/

18/07/2025

Can You Imagine: Su***de Prevention Lessons in the Classrooms?

The conversation is always tinged with the same, heavy reply. I sit across from principals, share the vision for a “network of safety” in every classroom, and too often they sigh:
“We just don’t have the budget for that. Maybe next year.”

There’s an awkward pause, both sides knowing that behind every “maybe next year,” another student could be silently struggling. Every postponed decision isn’t just a line in the budget—it risks being the moment when a young person slips through the cracks.

The Difference It Makes

In the UK, CALM and partners have shown that su***de prevention belongs in every school timetable, alongside maths and science. When these lessons become routine:

- Students and staff learn to spot the signs and step in.
- Silence around mental health fades.
- Every classroom, every corridor, strengthens the safety net.

In 2023 alone, 32 Hong Kong students lost their lives to su***de—a record high, and a tragedy woven from moments where help was too late or never even offered.

The Heart of the Network of Safety

A “network of safety” isn’t just more counselors or crisis numbers. It’s about everyone—students, teachers, parents—knowing how to notice, care, and act. When su***de prevention lessons are in place, schools stop relying on luck and start creating a web where support is woven into daily life.

A Plea to School Leaders and Policymakers

If you find yourself ready to say “maybe next year,” please pause and consider:

- Every delay is a risk—one we can’t afford.
- “No budget” isn’t just a policy—it can be the difference between a silent struggle and a life saved.

What if you were the one to say yes—to champion change, to make your school a place where hope is as familiar as homework?

Let’s bridge the gap from “maybe next year” to “right now.” Our students deserve no less.

Vietnam Institute of Psychology Sandy Sinn Christina Noble Children's Foundation LivingWorks Australia Chiang Rai International School Ha Vu Learning and Teaching Expo Lê Khương School Counselors in Saigon Saigon South International School Tabitha Kim Luong Hoang P**c Le Centre for Mindfulness - Singapore

16/07/2025

15/07/2025

Did you know that out of the 1,138 su***de cases recorded last year in Hong Kong, approximately 80 to 100 were young people aged 11 to 18?

The young girl I supported on Sunday found her reason to live—not because I gave her professional advice or solutions, but by showing her that her story matters, her feelings matter. In that space, free from judgment and filled with respect, she felt safe to share her thoughts and fears. It was this feeling of being truly heard and honored that allowed her to explore what might give her a reason to keep living.

In her own words, she said, “I don’t want to die because I still have so many places in this world I want to visit.” That hope came from within her, nurtured by a presence that simply listened and cared.

As a su***de intervention educator and trainer, I can assure you that anyone can be a lifeline. You don’t need to be a therapist or counselor—just someone willing to listen with empathy. Here are a few simple ways you can support someone who may be struggling:

1️⃣Create a safe space: Let them choose where and how they want to talk. Sometimes, just being in a familiar, comfortable place helps them open up.

2️⃣Listen without judgment: Allow them to share their story and feelings fully, without interrupting or offering immediate solutions.

3️⃣Acknowledge their pain: Validate their emotions by showing you understand how hard things are, rather than minimizing or dismissing their experience.

4️⃣Help them identify reasons to live: Support them in finding their own hopes and motivations—like the young girl who found hers in the places she still wanted to visit.

-5️⃣Encourage connection: Help them name trusted people they can reach out to when they feel overwhelmed, building a network of support around them.

6️⃣Introduce simple grounding techniques: Guide them through mindfulness or breathing exercises to help calm intense emotions and bring focus to the present.

You might worry: “What if I say the wrong thing? What if I make it worse?” These fears are common but unfounded.

When young people say “I just want to die” or talk about su***de often, they’re simply seeking attention. In reality, these words are cries for help and deserve to be heard with care and respect.🚨💡

With the DSE results tomorrow, many young people will face pressure and uncertainty. Imagine the difference you can make by simply being present, listening deeply, and respecting their feelings.

Together, we can build a network of safety where no young person feels invisible or alone.💙✨

***dePrevention

Sandy Sinn

Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong says analysis of data from Coroner’s Court shows 4 per cent rise in number of su***de deaths in 2024 compared with previous year.

14/07/2025

Behind the Numbers: A Young Life Saved and Why We Must Build a Network of Safety

Sunday morning began with an urgent call—a mother’s voice, unfamiliar yet trembling with desperation. She had been referred to me by a friend who knew my work in su***de prevention. As a fellow parent, I could feel the raw panic and pain beneath her words, a heart breaking on the other end of the line. Without hesitation, I agreed to meet her daughter.

But the girl only wanted one place—her room. In that moment, I knew this was a gift. When young people are hurting, their safe space is their sanctuary, the only place where they can begin to open up.

I stepped quietly into her room. She was curled on the sofa, clutching two soft pillows like shields, her small frame folded into a cocoon of comfort.

We sat quietly together, letting the silence stretch between us. Gradually, her gaze lifted and drifted toward the window behind her, where the soft morning light bathed the distant mountains of southern Hong Kong in a gentle glow. Then, almost as if the words had been waiting to escape, she whispered, “I miss Grace.”

That single sentence cracked open the door to a story held tightly inside. Grace—the best friend who had once shared laughter, secrets, and dreams—had vanished without explanation. The feeling of isolation, the silence swallowing her pain, the loneliness that made her feel invisible. It became clear why she believed ending it all was the only way to stop the hurt.

“I keep thinking about what happened with Grace…and then I worry about what might happen next. It’s like I’m stuck in the past and scared of the future.”

I nodded quietly, understanding that the relentless swirl of thoughts was pulling her deeper into darkness. To help her find a moment of peace, I invited her to close her eyes and take a slow, deep breath with me. The room grew still except for the sound of our breathing, steady and calm. I saw her shoulders relax, the tension slowly melting away.

When she opened her eyes, a flicker of hope appeared. “But what if I feel like this again?” she asked.

I reached for a notebook and together we began naming the people she could turn to—the ones she felt she could trust. Her parents, grandparents, aunts—all familiar names that now formed a circle of safety around her. As she spoke their names aloud, her fingers unclenched the pillows, and her posture shifted—less curled, more open. The tightness in her jaw softened, and a small, tentative smile played at the corners of her lips.

She paused, then said softly, “Thank you for listening. I now know I’m not alone anymore.”

That hour was a journey—from silence to voice, from despair to hope. Every moment, every breath, every word was a step toward building a space where she could be truly seen and heard. But no young person should walk this path alone.

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3318003/hong-kong-recorded-1138-su***des-last-year-highest-number-2003

Sandy Sinn

Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong says analysis of data from Coroner’s Court shows 4 per cent rise in number of su***de deaths in 2024 compared with previous year.

13/07/2025

How Mindfulness Became an Essential Part of My Journey in Mental Health🌿✨

Working in the mental health field—particularly in su***de prevention—I quickly realized how important it is to care for my own wellbeing. Supporting people through their darkest moments can be emotionally intense and demanding. Mindfulness entered my life as a personal practice—a way to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the present moment amid the chaos. 🧘‍♀️🌸

Practicing mindfulness daily helped me find steadiness and clarity. It improved my ability to manage stress, regulate emotions, and stay focused—benefits that extend beyond my professional role into every aspect of life. Mindfulness also deepened my compassion, both for myself and others, which is essential when working closely with individuals facing mental health crises and when being present for my family as a mother. 💙👩‍👧‍👦

Recognizing how transformative mindfulness was for me, I decided to deepen my understanding and impact by becoming a certified mindfulness coach through the Centre for Mindfulness - Singapore. This training enriched my ability to guide others in cultivating mindfulness as a tool for resilience and healing. 🎓🌟

Research supports what I’ve experienced firsthand. Mindfulness-based practices have been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and emotional reactivity, while increasing self-awareness and psychological flexibility. These qualities are especially crucial in su***de prevention work. Mindfulness helps individuals manage overwhelming emotions, reduce impulsivity, and develop a kinder, more accepting relationship with their thoughts and feelings—factors that significantly lower su***de risk. 📊🧠💡 Systematic reviews highlight consistent reductions in suicidal ideation and related risk factors among people practicing mindfulness, particularly those dealing with depression or trauma.

Mindfulness doesn’t erase pain, but it changes how we relate to it. It creates space to observe difficult emotions without being overwhelmed, fostering a sense of groundedness and hope that can be life-saving. 🌱💫

For me, mindfulness is a daily practice that keeps me grounded and present, enabling me to show up fully for my clients and myself . It’s a practice of presence and patience that supports wellbeing in the most practical, human ways. 🌼🙏

If you’re interested in exploring mindfulness, start small and be gentle with yourself. Even a few mindful breaths can make a meaningful difference. 🌬️💛

***dePrevention

Sandy Sinn

07/07/2025

It’s Monday morning. What story are you telling yourself about the week ahead?🌅

Are you bracing for challenges, feeling the weight of uncertainty, or quietly hopeful about new opportunities? The mindset we bring into the week shapes not only how we experience it but also how we navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs.

Humans are naturally wired—and culturally taught—to express gratitude when something positive happens: when someone helps us, when we achieve a goal, or when good news arrives.

Saying “thank you” in these moments feels instinctive and deserved. But what about the times when things don’t go as planned? When results disappoint or uncertainty clouds the future?

Neuroscience and psychology remind us that gratitude is far more than a reaction to good fortune. It is a deliberate practice that rewires our brains to notice and appreciate the supportive, meaningful elements in our lives—even amid struggle. This broader, more resilient form of gratitude helps regulate emotions, reduces stress responses, and fosters a sense of connection and hope, which are essential for wellbeing during difficult times. 🧠💡

As Cicero wisely said,

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.”🙏

Gratitude is not about ignoring reality or forcing positivity. It’s about holding space for both the good and the difficult, and choosing to focus on what grounds us—our efforts, our relationships, and the small moments of grace that often go unnoticed. This mindset strengthens our resilience and helps us face challenges with greater clarity and courage. 💪✨

So, as you begin this new week, don’t start by focusing on what you hope to get or achieve. Instead, pause and give thanks for what’s already present in your life—your strengths, your support, and the small moments that often go unnoticed. This simple but powerful shift in perspective can help you face whatever comes with greater calm, clarity, and hope. 🌟🌿

Wishing everyone a week filled with , , and meaningful moments. 💙

With hope and gratitude

05/07/2025

Recently, LivingWorks published a blog post featuring our founder, Sandy Sinn, and her inspiring journey in su***de prevention.

Growing up in Hong Kong, educated in the UK and the USA, and having lived in Vietnam, Singapore, China, and beyond, Sandy brings a rich multicultural perspective to her work. She combines her deep expertise in positive psychology with a strong cultural sensitivity—understanding how mental health and su***de prevention must be approached differently across diverse communities.

As the founder of CPPWB, Sandy’s mission is about breaking on mental health and su***de, and empowering individuals, workplaces and communities through , evidence-informed su***de first aid training. Her journey—marked by , , and small wins—is a testament to the power of and .

We invite you to read the blog post to learn more about Sandy’s story and how she is helping to create su***de-safer communities, one workshop at a time.

https://livingworks.net/blog-posts/from-personal-transformation-to-global-impact-sandy-sinn-is-helping-communities-in-hong-kong-and-vietnam-embrace-life-saving-conversations/

***dePrevention

Vietnam Institute of Psychology Ha Vu Christina Noble Children's Foundation 母親的抉擇 Mother's Choice LivingWorks Australia 香港世界宣明會 World Vision Hong Kong @

Sandy Sinn is passionate about growth and connection - sharing her mission to deliver LivingWorks programs to as many new places as she can.