Number of Hong Kong secondary students with mental illness doubles over last 5 years

Diagnoses of mental illness among Hong Kong's secondary students have surged, with officials warning the true scale is likely hidden by stigma and under-reporting. | Contesto: cronaca

Punti chiave

• Number of Hong Kong secondary students with mental illness doubles over last 5 years

Contesto

The number of secondary school students in Hong Kong diagnosed with a mental illness has doubled over the past five academic years, according to data released by education authorities. Officials cautioned that the alarming increase is likely under-reported, as a reluctance among some students and parents to disclose health information masks the true scale of the crisis. The trend in schools mirrors a broader public health pattern documented by the Health Bureau, which has recorded a steady rise in the number of people aged 15 to 24 receiving treatment in psychiatric departments at public hospitals. This parallel data suggests the pressures affecting students are part of a generational challenge, extending beyond the school gates into early adulthood. The convergence of these two datasets paints a stark picture of a youth mental health emergency gaining momentum across the city. Experts point to a complex web of factors potentially driving this surge. While the specific causes are multifaceted, the period in question has been one of profound social and educational disruption for Hong Kong's youth. The COVID-19 pandemic brought prolonged school closures, social isolation, and a radical shift to online learning, all of which are known stressors for adolescent mental wellbeing. Concurrently, students have navigated an intensely competitive academic environment, where pressure to perform in high-stakes examinations remains a persistent feature of secondary education. The issue of under-reporting highlighted by authorities underscores a significant barrier to addressing the crisis: enduring social stigma surrounding mental health. This stigma can deter families from seeking official diagnoses or support, fearing labels or discrimination. Consequently, the official figures, stark as they are, may represent only the visible tip of a much larger iceberg. Many young people may be struggling without a formal diagnosis or accessing support through private channels, leaving them uncounted and potentially underserved by public health and educational support systems. The doubling of cases places immense strain on Hong Kong's support infrastructure, raising urgent questions...

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Categoria: cronaca