Is Hong Kong about to implode?

S
25%
show levels of depression
and anxiety, which is
higher than the
global average
250%
Anxious to Learn
The fight against stress is especially difficult for Hong Kong’s women. “We see in
females that the onset of depression is mostly in their mid-30s,” says Dr. Fu, noting
that the occurrence of depression is far and away higher in Hong Kong’s women
than in Western countries. “When women get married, they have lots of roles—
from working a job, to being a mother and also being a daughter of their in-laws.”
But it’s not only Hong Kong’s adults who are susceptible to the dangers of
stress; new research shows that a dangerous culture of pressure begins in the city
at an early age. A survey taken by the MHA of secondary students in Kwun Tong
from April to June this year found that just short of half of respondents reported
higher levels of stress than normal.
“If students do not have a healthy way to deal with their problems or release
their tension, this will lead to mental health problems,” says Ching Chi-kong, the
MHA’s assistant director of service and education. Last month alone there were
three high-profile student suicides. Another survey, conducted by the Federation
of Youth Groups of 4,000 students over the last two months, found that 40 percent
suffer from symptoms of anxiety.
Those findings were released hot on the heels of a government panel report
into the causes of unnatural death in the city’s children. Typically, in developed
cities the highest cause of unnatural death is accidents. In Hong Kong, it’s suicide.
Secondary Stress
Welcome to high school: this is going to suck.
50%
feel they have poor mental health
51%
have some stress or
low-to-no stress
33.6%
11.5%
3.9%
have high stress have very high stress have extremely high stress
Lulls and Lethargy
Mahtani says that those who attend her support group often
suffer from low cortisol levels—the fight-or-flight hormone vital for
combating stress. Constant and long-term stress causes cortisol
to dip—and low cortisol levels can wreak havoc on the body. One
of the most common health risks generated by low cortisol is
depression—and in Hong Kong, depression is rampant.
The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong (MHA) is an NGO
that has been serving Hong Kong’s mentally ill and handicapped
since 1954. MHA data shows that 11.8 percent of the Hong Kong
population is depressed. That’s compared to an average of 4 to 5
percent in other developed cities.
“Resistance to stress is like resistance to bacteria and germs—
everyone has his or her own resistance to it,” says Dr. Jackie Fu
Chi-kin, a psychiatrist with the MHA. “If stress is excessive, it may
turn into more serious issues, including mood disorders.”
In January this year, the MHA released the results of a screening
of Hong Kong’s adult work force, through all districts of the city.
Respondents widely reported loss of energy, insomnia, waning
interest in everyday life and even suicidal ideation.
71.9%
of students think stress
comes from a heavy
homework workload
64%
feel stress from
parents’ scolding
them over school
performance
68%
feel stress from
parental pressure
51.8%
have concerns about
advancement to a higher
class or school
Statistics compiled from: Mental Health Association of Hong Kong, Occupational
Safety and Health Council, Whole Person Education Foundation
HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 11