Hong Kong is witnessing a concerning rise in suicide rates among young people, prompting mental health experts to underscore the potential impact of family conflicts on children’s mental well-being. Recent studies indicate that domestic discord can be a significant source of mental health problems in children, necessitating early intervention measures such as family therapy.
Family therapist Dr. Lee Wai-yung, the founding president of the Asian Academy of Family Therapy (AAFT), has employed innovative techniques to understand the physiological effects of parental disputes on children. In a recent case involving 14-year-old John Wong*, Dr. Lee utilized a biofeedback device during a therapy session to monitor the teenager’s physical reactions to his parents’ argument. The results revealed a startling increase in Wong’s heart rate to 184 beats per minute, coupled with a temperature drop to 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit).
Dr. Lee emphasizes the deep concern children often harbor for their parents, noting that disturbances in the family dynamic can lead to heightened anxiety in children. By employing biofeedback assessment in family therapy, Dr. Lee aims to track and address the physiological responses of children as their parents navigate conflicts.
The University of Hong Kong’s suicide prevention center has reported 15 suicide cases involving individuals aged 18 and below or those in tertiary education institutions from August to October this year, compared to eight cases during the same period in 2022. Seven suicide attempts were recorded during this time frame in 2023, in contrast to three attempts in 2022.
In response to the escalating cases, city authorities are planning to establish a three-tier system to provide professional help and priority psychiatric services to children deemed at high risk of suicide.
Dr. Lee notes that some children who outwardly appear calm or silent during therapy sessions exhibit more than 10 physiological responses, with heart rates soaring to over 190 beats per minute. The impact is particularly pronounced when parents engage in the silent treatment.
The biofeedback tool, applied in over 500 cases in Hong Kong and mainland China, has proven instrumental in revealing the unseen effects of parental conflicts on children. Dr. Lee emphasizes that this realization often comes as a surprise to parents, marking a crucial moment in understanding the potential impact of family dynamics on their children’s mental health.
