A 'worrying' amount of Hong Kong youth are seeking mental health treatment
Reuters/Carlos Barria
The number of young people seeking treatment for mental health problems at public facilities increased steadily between 2010 and last year, with the biggest jump – 78 per cent – seen in those under 15 years of age.
The number from this age group seeking treatment at the Hospital Authority’s psychiatry department increased from 12,500 in the 2010-11 financial year to 22,300 in 2014-15, according to figures from the authority.
Dr Ivan Mak Wing-chit, a psychiatrist, said the figure was “worrying” and that the findings were in line with other research in the field indicating young people were increasingly suffering from mental illness in Hong Kong.
“Not only is there a trend of more youngsters having mental illnesses, the age is going down,” he said.
Among those between 15 and 17, there were 4,200 patients seeking treatment at the psychiatry department in 2014-15, a 45 per cent rise from the figure in 2010-2011.
A total of 5,900 patients between 18 and 22 sought treatment in 2014-15, an increase of 23 per cent on the figure four years earlier.
Mak said the rising numbers could be caused by stress from studying, parents having higher expectations of their children, and internet communication leading to young people feeling detached from society.
Reuters/Carlos Barria
But Dr Cindy Chan, a clinical psychologist, said the increases could also be caused by greater awareness of mental health issues due to public education and the authority having the manpower to take in more patients.
“People are more familiar with symptoms of mental health problems now, so they are more likely to notice when they are suffering, and seek help,” she said.
The changes could also be linked to society’s greater acceptance of mental illness, Chan said.
She urged those concerned they might be suffering from mental illness to have an open attitude and talk to family and friends, and seek professional help.
Mak said he hoped the Education Bureau would include in its curriculum lessons on stress management and mental health.