After the pandemic, mental health issues have garnered global attention, and Hong Kong faces the same challenges. A study led by Professor Shirley Li Xue from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) on the economic model of depression in Hong Kong shows that from 2023 to 2032, over 55,000 residents will be affected by depression each year, indicating that Hong Kong will continue to face a significant burden in diagnosing and treating depression over the next decade.
Mental health problem is not uncommon in densely populated and fast-pacing Hong Kong.
Students and depression
In general, secondary school students rarely have to take on family responsibilities, but that does not mean they are free from stress or that they are not troubled by mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
According to Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service's "2024 Secondary School Students’ Well-Being Survey", more than one-third of the students displayed depression of different degrees and over one-quarter of them reached moderate to very severe depression, which requires profession assistance. The three most common feeling among them are: 'I think I am useless', 'there is nothing good that I can anticipate', and 'I hate my current life'.
The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong released the first survey results on "Secondary student mental health literacy" in 2024. The survey found that more than half of the students surveyed had experienced feelings of tension, unease, or irritability in the past two weeks prior to the survey, and some even felt unable to stop or control their worries. The research team assessed the mental health status of the respondents using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and found that 30.6% of the surveyed students were troubled by symptoms related to depression. At the same time, they evaluated the respondents' anxiety status using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2) and found that one-quarter of the surveyed students were in a state of anxiety.
Pressure faced by adults
Relatively, adults have more responsibilities which lead to more sources of pressure. Coupled with the economic fluctuation, career prospect and familiy burden in Hong Kong in recent years, it is not uncommon to trigger aniexty and depression among adult age groups.
According to a survey conducted in 2024 by The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong in collaboration with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, among 1,698 surveyed Hong Kong men, nearly one-quarter (24%) were defined as having moderate to severe mental health risks, with 32% of their sources of stress related to work. The program also further assessed 166 men who received counseling services this year and found that nearly 60% of respondents were in a state of moderate to severe anxiety before receiving counseling services, while nearly 45% were troubled by moderate to severe depression and stress issues.
Another survey conducted by The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong in 2023 showed that 33% of the respondents experienced moderate to severe depressive emotions, with nearly 44% of individuals in the 18 to 24 age group experiencing moderate to severe depression. The survey indicated that the respondents' stress primarily stemmed from family, work, health, and economic factors, particularly among those aged 25 to 34, who felt the most pressure due to work-related circumstances.
Mental health of elderly
Although Hong Kong has the longest life expectancy in the world, in recent years, the social environment in Hong Kong has undergone significant changes, and coupled with the impact of the pandemic, the elderly also face considerable emotional stress.
According to Census and Statistics Department, as of mid-2022, there were 2.14 million elderly individuals aged 60 or above in Hong Kong, accounting for over a quarter (29.4%) of the total population. Research conducted by the University of Hong Kong found that elderly individuals in Hong Kong exhibit more symptoms of depression compared to their counterparts in nearby regions such as Taiwan and Guangzhou; however, local attention and support for elderly individuals with mild to moderate depressive symptoms are very limited.
The study also found that about one in ten elderly individuals exhibit symptoms of depression, indicating that this is a significant issue worthy of attention in the local mental health landscape. Elderly depression can potentially lead to irreversible effects for seniors, such as diminished cognitive abilities, deteriorating mental health, and even death.
Society and policy support
Hong Kong's mental health services face significant challenges, including a shortage of professionals, long waiting times, and high treatment costs. For examples, the waiting time for psychiatric outpatient services in the public health system can extend up to two years; in the New Territories East cluster, there are only 69 psychiatrists available, with each psychiatrist having to manage over 2,400 patients annually.
Although less than 20% of depression patients develop treatment-resistant depression (TRD) or experience related complications, these patients consume nearly half of the medical resources associated with depression. Research also predicts that, from 2023 to 2032, there will be 55,849 to 57,896 depression patients, causing an adverage of HKD 25.1 billionmedical costs per annum, reflecting the significant impact of mental health issues on society and the economy.
The depression health economic modelling study by HKU predicts that early intervention is a key driver of cost savings. Patients who have treatment failure of at least two trials of antidepressants are defined to have TRD and they represent 31% to 54% of total depression-related healthcare costs. It is therefore essential to provide timely patient support, given the immense burden associated with more severe stages, which are the greatest drivers in terms of both cost and life-year savings.
Overall, Hong Kong is facing a increasing burden of depression, which not only affects individuals' quality of life but also has a profound impact on society as a whole. In the future, more resources need to be invested in mental health services to create a more supportive environment, allowing everyone to receive appropriate help when needed.
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