Cross-border schoolchildren could face mental health issues, says expert
Expert fears pupils on mainland commuting to and from school for up to five hours a day may be at risk of suffering anxiety and depression
Two in every five children born in Hong Kong to mainland parents may grow up maladjusted if they are made to cross the border daily for classes or live away from their parents, a research specialist in youth development has warned.
The risk of psychological issues such as childhood anxiety and depression can double in such difficult environments and early action is needed to address the problem, said Polytechnic University chair professor Daniel Shek Tan-lei.
His warning comes as the government launches a public consultation today on ways to cope with the extra schooling demand from the 200,000 children born to mainlanders since 2001. The exercise will also delve into ageing issues and how to improve population quality.
"The educational needs of these children is only one of the areas the government should look into. Their mental health is worrying. They lack parental care and are a high-risk group," he told the South China Morning Post.
"I wonder how many can grow up happily and healthily when they have to spend four to five hours a day commuting to schools across the border. I see the problem becoming more apparent in the next 10 years."
Shek is also the new chairman of the Family Council, set up by the government in 2007 to promote a family-friendly environment and advise on family policies.
He referred to his own research papers from 1995 to 2011 which he said showed that anxiety, behavioural problems, learning difficulties and other mental health issues afflicted about 20 per cent of children living under normal conditions. In the sort of environment the 200,000 children were facing, the figure could double to 40 per cent, meaning 80,000 were at risk, he said.