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Hongkongers’ mental health remains below acceptable standards despite slight improvement from 2020
The average mental health score of Hongkongers in 2021 has increased from last year, but it continues to fall short of the “passing mark”, as revealed by the latest Hong Kong Mental Health Index on 26 October 2021.
The index, entering its 10th edition this year, is part of “Mental Health Month”, an annual campaign co-organised every October by rehabilitation groups and public bodies, including the EOC, to raise awareness of mental health issues.
In the present study, a total of 1,028 citizens aged 15 or above participated in a telephone survey based on the World Health Organization’s Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) in July 2021. They were given five statements and asked how often, in the two weeks prior to the survey, they experienced the feelings described in those statements. These included, for instance, “I have felt cheerful and in good spirits”, “I have felt calm and relaxed”, and “My daily life has been filled with things that interest me”.
On average, the respondents scored 48.03 out of 100, up from 45.12 in 2020. Notwithstanding the improvement, the figure remains a few points below 52, the level generally considered acceptable by academic researchers.
A statistically significant correlation was found between mental health and certain personal attributes, such as age, marital status and economic activity status. People who were aged 25-34; divorced or separated from their spouses; or in between jobs reported poorer mental health.
One-third of the respondents also indicated that COVID-19 had had an extremely or fairly negative impact on their mental health. Notably, however, those who had maintained some form of physical social interaction, such as meeting relatives and friends, visiting them in their homes, and taking part in small social gatherings, scored higher on the WHO-5 index.
As the global pandemic has yet to come under full control, the research report recommends that all sectors in Hong Kong stand united to fight the virus, prevent community outbreaks, and pave the way for the resumption of normal social life.
The Government is also encouraged to conduct a holistic review and enhancement of measures and services related to mental health, in light of the fact that Hongkongers have been missing the passing mark on the WHO-5 index since 2018.
