Letters | Hong Kong extradition protests and social turmoil taking a mental toll on youth

Young people struggling with concerns about their future and feelings of helplessness need safe spaces, empathetic listeners and help to better engage with the community

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Many young people in Hong Kong have expressed deep concerns about their future and struggle with feelings of hopelessness. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 11:00am, 21 Jun 2019Updated: 11:44am, 29 Jul 2019

As a group that is passionate about empowering young people to reach their potential, we at KELY are heartbroken to see the tumultuous times they are facing (“Protests and turmoil push more Hongkongers to seek psychological support”, June 17). We’ve heard so many young people express deep concerns about their future, question their identity and worth, and struggle with feelings of hopelessness.

“As a youth in Hong Kong, I have grown up desiring more from life. I don’t just want to fit the mould – be a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant or a banker – I want to follow my dreams, to find meaning in my work, to know that I have the option to be happy and fulfilled regardless of what I choose to do. But this week, it has confirmed all my fears, and I feel that all that and more have been taken away,” said Tony, 23.

“I have no words for the helplessness I feel about my future,” said Ping, 15. “My family don’t understand me, society doesn’t accept me.” N, 22, a member of an ethnic minority group, said: “Cantonese isn’t my first language, I can’t fully follow all that’s going on, but Hong Kong is my home. I was born and raised here and I want to contribute and express my views, but I don’t know how or if I am accepted in doing so.”

The teenage years and young adulthood are challenging enough on their own, from the physical changes associated with adolescence, to academic pressures, to the stresses of social media and other technologies. Recent events have only heightened the stress facing our young people.

They are often caught between a rock and a hard place: when they try to speak and participate, they are labelled as troublemakers; when they do not speak or participate, they are labelled as disengaged or unmotivated.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Hong Kong extradition protests and social turmoil taking a mental toll on youth

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Young people struggling with concerns about their future and feelings of helplessness need safe spaces, empathetic listeners and help to better engage with the community

Letters | Hong Kong extradition protests and social turmoil taking a mental toll on youth

Young people struggling with concerns about their future and feelings of helplessness need safe spaces, empathetic listeners and help to better engage with the community