A psychiatrist and an elderly volunteer on why Hong Kong’s seniors are sad

“[Some of the elderly] never go outside and never seek help from the others,” Wong said.

She understands the mental health needs of seniors because she battled depression about seven years ago.

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Linda Lam is a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and a member of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health.

Lam explained some signs of depression: “[For] at least two weeks, you feel ... unhappy, and the degree of unhappiness affects your [daily life].”

In Hong Kong, many elderly people struggle with depression. According to a survey, more than 48 per cent of elderly respondents had moderate or severe depression. These results were released last year and were from a study by the Society for Community Organisation.

Lam pointed to a few events that could be difficult for seniors to deal with.

After retirement, life changes a lot. Seniors might not know how to fill their time or how to find people to talk to. Lam said this could affect their self-esteem. The professor also said many of Hong Kong’s elderly were affected by their families moving away.

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Wong agreed that this could affect seniors.

“Maybe the younger generation is busy with work, so they do not have enough time to take care of [their elders]. They will feel lonely and helpless,” she said.

In Wong’s case, she was depressed because she was taking care of her mother all the time.

“During this time, I couldn’t control myself and my emotions,” she said.

After her mother passed, Wong finally felt like she could seek treatment for her depression.

Professor Lam shared her tips for how young people could help their elderly loved ones.

You should pay attention to the attitudes and feelings of your grandparents and older family members.

“Notice the feeling that Granny has changed,” Lam said. “If ... grandparents stop asking [questions], then that is unusual.”

Lam also suggested regularly calling or visiting your elders to cheer them up. If you notice any alarming signals, bring them up with your parents.

The professor’s final message to the elderly in Hong Kong was to approach life with optimism.

“Getting old does not mean that you should compromise the quality of life,” she said. “Everybody should have a right to enjoy whatever their life gives them and every moment of joy.”

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Wong recommended that seniors continue to “learn and share” after retiring – they should meet with friends and join activities.

When she was depressed, finding a community helped her. At first, she was afraid of telling her friends about her depression. Instead, she found comfort in meeting others at the Hong Kong Christian Service centre.

“In the centre, some of the elderly also suffer from depression. We have similar experiences,” she said. “At least we can have each other. Talking about this we can release stress.”

• Reflect: How often do you see your grandparents? What is their usual mood?

• Why this story matters: The number of elderly people in Hong Kong is expected to grow in the next few decades. It will continue being important to support their needs, especially in mental health.