Opinion | Beneath the Hong Kong protests, a mental-health time bomb is ticking as fear and mistrust grow

Hong Kong, with its high suicide rate, has long been ill-equipped to deal with its mental health issues. The unbearable pressures of the ongoing protests could make that challenge the city’s biggest yet

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A man wipes his eyes after yet another weekend of tear gas on the streets of Hong Kong, on October 6. Photo: AP

Published: 10:30am, 25 Oct 2019Updated: 10:30am, 25 Oct 2019

It is impossible to estimate the impact of Hong Kong’s recent period of unrest, or how long it will take to repair the city. Perhaps physical damage to buildings and MTR systems can be fixed relatively quickly. Healing family divisions may take longer. Restoring trust throughout the community could take years. Maybe the same goes for our international reputation as a stable and safe place.

And then there is the mental health cost. Mental health has long been one of Hong Kong’s more serious social problems. Our high-pressure work environment and education system add to stress and anxiety, while our culture discourages openness about depression and other personal problems. Our suicide rate is one of the highest in Asia – which, as a region, has the highest rate in the world.

Our mental health resources are also widely recognised as being inadequate. For example, we have barely a third of the number of psychiatrists per 100,000 people compared with Britain.

The events of the past few months have put us all under greater stress. Regardless of our political beliefs, many of us are surely experiencing more anger. I make a point of not watching 24-hour news too frequently to avoid hearing the same bitter arguments and accusations over and over again. Social media and fake news have added to this, and there has been a widespread rise in mistrust and fear.

Several incidents, notably the Yuen Long attack on July 21, have shaken public confidence in the police and government. Acts of violence by protesters, involving petrol bombs and mob attacks on bystanders, have increased the impression that law and order is breaking down.

It seems that many people are starting to believe rumours and conspiracy theories. There are wild claims on social media insisting that people were killed at Prince Edward MTR station on August 31, even though the fire brigade, ambulance services and MTR sources have said this is untrue.

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