The Hong Kong government has announced a new online emotional support platform for young people in response to a concerning rise in student suicides. This platform is expected to be launched in the second quarter of next year as part of a series of mental health support measures revealed by Chief Executive John Lee during the 2024 Policy Address.
In addition to the online platform, the government plans to enhance the Three-Tier School-based Emergency Mechanism, which was established last December to help schools identify students at risk of suicide and provide early intervention. These efforts come after a recent survey showed that although primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong are happier than they were last year, their sense of purpose in life has declined to a seven-year low.
Furthermore, a survey conducted by the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong found that almost half of secondary school students in the city are hesitant to seek help when facing mental health issues. Those who were less willing to seek assistance were found to have higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as poorer resilience and health status. To address this, Chief Executive John Lee announced plans to introduce resource packages for senior secondary and lower primary students, as well as enhance teacher training to better identify and support students with mental health needs.
While the new online support platform has been welcomed by the Hong Kong Student Alliance on Student Suicide, concerns have been raised about the waiting time for existing online platforms and the effectiveness of the assistance they provide. The alliance emphasized the importance of referring cases to offline service providers to ensure teenagers receive appropriate support.
However, the alliance also expressed disappointment that the policy address did not address the mental health needs of university students. They called for tertiary institutions to collaborate with external counseling centers and provide funding for students to access free counseling services. Additionally, they suggested the establishment of a government fund to allow young psychiatric patients to seek treatment from private doctors and counselors while waiting for public psychiatric services.
In conclusion, the government’s initiative to launch an online emotional support platform for youth is a step in the right direction to address the rising concerns of student suicides in Hong Kong. However, it is important for further efforts to be made to ensure that all students, including those in tertiary institutions, have access to the mental health support they need. By providing comprehensive support and resources, we can work towards creating a healthier and more resilient youth population in Hong Kong.
