Mental health is wealth. A new study has found that close to seven in 10 university students in Hong Kong show early signs of depression, while more than half are suffering from an anxiety disorder.
The study, conducted by HKU's Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, showed that 68.5 percent of the university students in Hong Kong have mild to severe depressive symptoms. The other 54.4 percent, on the other hand, have mild to severe anxiety symptoms.
Within these groups, 9 percent reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms, and 5.8 percent showed severe anxiety symptoms. The results were way higher than the result of a similar survey 10 years ago.
According to the researchers, the increasing numbers could be attributed to the increasing academic pressure after major reforms of the education system in Hong Kong and the uncertainties in career prospects due to fluctuations in the socio-political environment. The more prevalent use of social media also plays a big role.
"Our study hopes to raise awareness that the prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms is not uncommon among university students," study leader Kevin Lun Wai-ching, a Year Six medical student, said in a statement obtained by South China Morning Post. "Hence, students should not be ashamed of themselves when they have related symptoms or difficulties," he added.
The study also found that university students who exercise regularly and get enough sleep tend to have lower levels of depression or anxiety. A person's positive outlook and optimism can also help relieve stress, frustration, and anxiety.
Kevin Lun Wai Ching, then, urged universities across Hong Kong to provide more counseling and psychological services. It would also be better if the school psychologist or counselor actively reach out to those students who show early signs of depression.
"Most universities provide a mental health service but expanding the service scale and more active reach out for students are vital," Kevin Lun Wai Ching explained. "On the other hand, student education plays a central role when we are trying to tackle the situation," he added.
However, a spokesman for HKU reiterated that the university ran regular activities to promote mental health, which includes an annual mental health week and several mental health education programs and activities. They also provide psychological and medical services to students with mental health concerns, the spokesman added.
This comes after there were modest increases from 2015 to 2016 in suicide rates in Hong Kong. According to the Committee on Prevention of Student Suicides, at least 24 percent of 38 cases of primary and secondary school student suicides showed considerable stress related to learning.
