About one-fifth of elderly people in Hong Kong are prone to depression, with the economic downturn aggravating the problem, according to a survey.
The situation was highlighted in a study of 1,579 elderly people conducted over the past two months by the Po Leung Kuk charity group.
It found 18 per cent of respondents had shown signs of depression, such as melancholy, anxiety and dejection. About 18 of them were found to be suicidal.
However, around one-third of respondents were leading a happy life, with the rest found to be psychologically healthy.
Yue Mui-ying, a social services superintendent of Po Leung Kuk, attributed the depression findings to declining health; feelings of alienation in the face of social changes; loneliness; and diminishing economic power after retirement.
'The recent economic downturn has adversely affected many families' and limited their ability to provide financial and emotional support to the elderly, she said. 'There are not enough counselling services for them. If the situation gets worse, elderly depression and even suicide will be prevalent.'