MENTAL health among Hong Kong residents is deteriorating, a leading psychiatrist has warned.
Dr Edwin Yu Chi-shing, of Kwai Chung Hospital, said the number of young people showing signs of depression had started to rise in line with rates usually found among high-risk groups such as the elderly and ethnic minorities.
Dr Yu was responding to a survey released last week by the Sheng Kung Hui Lady MacLehose Centre, which found that 54 per cent of respondents faced severe pressures and 39 per cent had no motivation.
Of 478 people interviewed, more than one-third said they were always depressed and had difficulty sleeping.
Others said they had problems paying attention and did not have hope for the future - a sign Dr Yu said could point to suicidal tendencies.
Almost one-quarter of those polled admitted they were emotionally unstable, easily irritated and would laugh or cry out loud occasionally.
Dr Yu said up to 43 per cent could be diagnosed as suffering from depression.