Hong Kong’s mental health hits new low in survey listing Covid-19 pandemic and social turmoil as likely factors
- Average score measuring Hong Kong residents’ psychological state falls to 45.12, with 52 set as satisfactory level
- Health crisis and turmoil stemming from last year’s anti-government protests identified as likely causes of the decline
Findings of the study released on Wednesday showed the average mental health index for Hongkongers this year was 45.12, lower than the 46.41 recorded in 2019.
Scoring below 52 in the survey, which is organised by the Mental Health Month Organising Committee and launched in 2012, indicates an unsatisfactory psychological state.
From late June to early July, the phone survey asked 1,002 Hongkongers aged 15 and above how factors such as career, health and social controversies had affected them.
Dr Ivan Mak Wing-chit, convenor of the research working group under the committee, said the combination of social controversies and the coronavirus pandemic had a major impact on well-being this year.
“When facing social controversies, the chance of triggering trauma is likely to be higher,” said Mak, a psychiatrist. “The epidemic was like a situation of pulling a rubber band tightly.
“Social controversies and the epidemic came one after another, and their impacts still remain in society.”