Content warning: Mentions of suicide
Whether it is through exercising, taking part in hobbies or attending counselling sessions, maintaining good mental health can be extremely beneficial to you. Not only has it been shown to reduce anxiety levels, but it also allows you to think clearer and build better relationships with people around you. However, many teenagers are unable to do so, with around 51.5% of secondary school pupils in Hong Kong showing symptoms of depression, proving mental health issues may be a bigger problem than we think.
Mental Health issues in Hong Kong:
Hong Kong is seeing an increasing number of mental health issues, especially amongst younger generations. From 2011 to 2016, the number of child and adolescent psychiatric patients increased by 50%. However, 74% of mental health sufferers do not seek any professional help, meaning that there are likely more people impacted than recorded. Furthermore, the youth suicide rate doubled from 2014-2017, and according to a poll by Caritas and City University, around 40% of secondary form students are at risk of committing suicide.
People affected by mental health issues in Hong Kong may also have trouble reaching out for help due to the social stigma around mental issues. A survey run by Mind HK showed that under 30% of respondents would be willing to live with someone with a mental health problem. Over 40% of respondents believed that one of the main causes of mental illness was a lack of self-discipline and willpower. This mindset towards mental illnesses could make someone affected feel ashamed or embarrassed to seek professional help. On the other hand, 89% of respondents believed that the attitude to mental illnesses needed to change, suggesting that Hong Kong is on the right path to making mental illnesses more acceptable in society
Symptoms and Causes:
Although mental health problems can be very damaging towards one's mentality, they can be easily treated if they are diagnosed early. These issues can be caused by a variety of reasons, including racism, social exclusion and poor living conditions. Additionally, using drugs and alcohol can also cause mental health illnesses. According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), around 4.7 % of 15-16-year-olds reported using cannabis at least once in 2018. Several studies have linked marijuana use to increased risk for psychiatric disorders, including psychosis (schizophrenia), depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Recent research suggests that smoking high-potency marijuana every day could increase the chances of developing psychosis by nearly five times compared to people who have never used marijuana.
Some common mental illnesses found in teens are general anxiety (where one has excessive worries about daily matters), depression (persistent feelings of sadness and emptiness) and social phobias (severe feelings of insecurity and self-consciousness in social settings). All of these illnesses have different symptoms; however, signs such as changes in appetite, sleep and energy levels could be telltale of a mental illness. Symptoms may also include constantly feeling empty, struggling to gain and maintain friendships, having suicidal thoughts and constantly feeling restless.
Ways to Help:
Chances are that you know, or will encounter, somebody with a mental health illness. If this is the case, there are a few things that you can do to help them. Firstly, don’t pressure them into telling you information they’re not comfortable sharing; doing so can worsen their condition as just talking to you requires a lot of courage. Additionally, try not to second-guess their opinions when they tell you about their problems. Unless you're a medical expert you shouldn’t try to diagnose them with an illness or make assumptions about their condition. Instead, try to remember your limits and encourage them to seek professional help.
Support Services:
Suicide Prevention Services 24-hour hotline: (+852) 2382 0000 (Cantonese)
24-hour Inquiries Hotline: (+852) 23432255 (Cantonese, English)
Suicide Prevention 24-hour Hotline (The Samaritans): (+852) 2896 0000
(Cantonese, English, French, German, Hindi, Malay, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu)
Sources:
Writer: Anvita Verma
Editor: Kristen Wong
Thumbnail: Jennifer Pun
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