In Hong Kong, public facilities saw a spike in the number of young people seeking mental health treatment from 2010 to 2015. Among that, the biggest jump of 75% was among those under 15.1
In a world of cyberbullying and social instability, young people are battling mental stress constantly.2 In order to bring the public’s attention to what they need in order to grow up healthily, World Mental Health Day 2018 has made its theme Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World.
According to Youth.gov.hk, common causes of mental stress faced by young people include examinations and conflicts with friends.3 This is echoed by a report by the Hong Kong Paediatric Society and the Hong Kong Paediatric Foundation, which showed that academic performance, parental expectations and socializing with friends are some of the major sources of stress for young people.4
If left untreated, mental stress can cause such health issues as depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Long-term stress can also lead to self-harm or suicide.5
If your child is experiencing stress, know that it is perfectly fine to seek and accept help. Everyone is fighting a battle at one point or another. The important thing is to know how to relieve stress. Support your child in exploring new hobbies or making new friends. Encouraging them to talk — whether to yourself, a professional or someone they trust — would do wonders in reducing stress as well.6
Remember, stress is not necessarily a bad thing for young people. Learning how to cope with stress can be a valuable life skill.
Sources
- https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2119364/one-six-hong-kong-people-suffers-mental-illness-dr. Viewed on 03 Sep 2018.
- https://wfmh.global/world-mental-health-day-2018/. Viewed on 03 Sep 2018.
- http://www.youth.gov.hk/en/info-centre/health/mental-health.htm. Viewed on 03 Sep 2018.
- https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2097852/hong-kong-children-suffer-greater-mental-stress. Viewed on 03 Sep 2018.
- http://www.youth.gov.hk/en/info-centre/health/mental-health.htm. Viewed on 03 Sep 2018.