Coronavirus in Hong Kong: don’t forget the mental toll

We have had zero Covid-19 cases for three days in a row, but some Hongkongers are still struggling to see the silver lining (“Suicide experts warn of pandemic’s impact on jobless, poor and elderly”, April 26).

The coronavirus pandemic has wrought havoc with many aspects of our lives – surging joblessness, plummeting economic vitality and weakening social morale spell what many medical professionals describe as a once-in-a-century disaster.

Despite the recent significant drop in confirmed cases of Covid-19, top medical officials are still worried about the possible emergence of untraceable local cases. In terms of battling the outbreak and in particular the second wave of infection, I have been impressed by my fellow citizens’ unwavering efforts to practise social distancing and maintain good public hygiene.

But so many of the underprivileged have been left struggling. They are possibly in need of help but don’t qualify for comprehensive social security assistance, and don’t have the financial means to overcome the challenges facing them.

On the other hand, emotional crises like restlessness and desperation that people experience in such difficult times could be a potential impediment to social development. Economic resilience is essential for many, yet there is also a pressing need for the authorities to reach out to the needy and to promote mental health in a wider community context. Hopefully, with these measures in place, we can all find a silver lining soon.

Kris Cheng, Fanling