Dr. Lam Ching-choi, the chairman of Hong Kong’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health, has conveyed that, based on recent discussions with schools, the youth mental health crisis in the city appears to be stabilizing. Dr. Lam shared insights into the situation, highlighting the students’ gradual adaptation to in-person learning after the pandemic and the efforts of school principals in constructing a more positive campus environment.
In response to ongoing concerns, authorities are considering making permanent a reporting hotline for principals to promptly flag urgent mental health cases. The hotline has been a part of the temporary three-tier system implemented to address suicide risks among students, a collaborative effort involving the Health Bureau, Education Bureau, and Social Welfare Department. This system, initiated in December and set to conclude this month, facilitates the identification of students with strong suicidal tendencies, providing them with counseling services.
Dr. Lam emphasized the potential extension and reinforcement of the three-tier system to include further prevention and referral mechanisms. The government is exploring ways to enhance the support provided to students, including additional professional help from psychologists and medical professionals.
The mental health reporting hotline is being considered for permanency to ensure that principals have a dedicated channel for urgent cases. Dr. Lam highlighted the importance of creating an environment where teachers and students are more aware of mental health issues and equipped to respond effectively. He emphasized the need for increased training in this area.
The mental health landscape in Hong Kong has been a matter of concern, with an increase in the number of suspected suicides among students. Dr. Lam’s committee has conducted an analysis of recent cases, revealing that many students were not suffering from mental disorders, did not come from troubled family backgrounds, and did not have poor academic performance. The critical factor in these cases was the students’ perception that no one understood or would listen to them when they needed help.
To further address mental health challenges, the government is contemplating the expansion of prevention and referral mechanisms. Dr. Lam emphasized the need for a supportive environment, increased awareness, and training to prevent such incidents in the future.
Additionally, Dr. Lam highlighted the importance of enforcing guidelines on the minimum time students spend exercising at school. He noted that some schools were cutting back on exercise time to accommodate academic classes. Adhering to World Health Organization and Hong Kong Department of Health guidelines, Dr. Lam emphasized the necessity of ensuring that all students exercise for at least an hour every day. Enforcing this minimum time for exercise could contribute to the psychological well-being of students and foster resilience.
Lawmaker Chu Kwok-keung, representing the education constituency, stressed that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the mental health crisis among youth. In addition to exercise, Chu highlighted the importance of reducing academic workloads and guiding teachers and students to establish positive thinking and emotional coping abilities.
The mental health advisory committee’s efforts align with broader initiatives aimed at creating a supportive and mentally healthy environment for Hong Kong’s youth. The ongoing commitment to addressing mental health challenges reflects the recognition of the multifaceted factors influencing the well-being of students in the post-pandemic period.
