As the new school year enters its second week, students are transitioning from the leisurely pace of summer back into the structured environment of school. While many are reconnecting with their friends, others, especially freshmen, are dealing with the challenges of new surroundings, unfamiliar teachers, and peers.
During this time, students frequently experience a mixture of excitement and anxiety as they prepare for the opportunities and challenges they will face. In this context, the Education Bureau, psychologists, and social welfare organisations have appropriately highlighted the importance of mental health.
This concern extends beyond just children and adolescents; young adults, adults, and even the elderly face varying degrees of mental health challenges due to a range of issues.
In his Lenten pastoral letter earlier this year, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., underscored the critical importance of mental health, identifying it as one of the most pressing issues facing Hong Kong today.
A report released by the Hong Kong SAR government’s Mental Health Advisory Committee in November 2023 sheds light on the mental health issues from 2019 to 2023. Surveys targeting children and adolescents aged 6 to 17, young people aged 15 to 24, and elderly individuals aged 60 and above revealed that the most prevalent mental health concerns are attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] in children and adolescents, depression in young adults, and cognitive disorders in the elderly.
Furthermore, a study conducted by the Hong Kong Mental Health Association in 2023 revealed a troubling trend: the depression index among residents has been on a continuous upward trajectory since 2012, with the most significant rise observed among males aged 18 to 24.
The impact of mental health disorders, though often less visible than physical ailments, is equally profound. The Church has long recognised the importance of dealing with this issue, providing essential services to those in need, and also highlighting the growing feeling of alienation and loneliness that pervades society.
The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated these feelings of fear and helplessness. Elderly parents who have experienced the emigration of close family members are grappling with feelings of emptiness and abandonment.
In response, a number of Church organisations have arranged seminars to bring together scholars, priests, and social workers to examine ways to alleviate the loneliness experienced by vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, adolescents, and ethnic minorities.
Pope Francis has aptly described the Church as a field hospital, a place where those in need should find care and comfort.
In this spirit, we are all called to seize the opportunity to extend a helping hand to those around us who are struggling. By actively listening, observing, and offering our companionship, we can forge deeper and more meaningful relationships.
Parish community activities allow us to break down barriers of indifference, combat the pervasive loneliness that affects many, and most importantly, share the love and compassion that is at the heart of our faith. SE
