Letters | As Hong Kong protests and pandemic add to the mental burden for youth, parents are the first line of defence
- Journeying to adulthood is challenging in itself, more so for those youngsters who now have the added challenge of navigating political unrest and a global pandemic. They must feel they can turn to the adults for a listening ear and role models on how to best express and manage emotions
We can all agree that the past year has been exceptionally challenging for Hongkongers, and if there’s anything we’ve learned, it’s the importance of protecting our minds, just as we protect our bodies.
Parents, carers, and concerned adults play a critical role in helping young people make sense of these tumultuous times and stay mentally healthy. Parents are the first teachers and role models we know, and with the increased amount of time young people are spending at home during the pandemic, parents are on the front lines of protecting our young people.
The first thing we can do is to listen. It’s only by listening to youngsters that we are able to provide them with the help they need. Sometimes it can be difficult for us to listen, especially when we disagree with what young people are saying, but what’s important is not to agree with everything, but to acknowledge the real emotions they are experiencing.
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On Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education exam results day, emotions run high
Second, we can practise healthy habits ourselves. One of the key strategies for mental health is to identify, express and manage our emotions. When young people are hesitant to share, we can take the first step by naming some of our own feelings and finding healthy ways to cope with them together.