A mental health screening exercise conducted by Hong Kong during the last four months of 2024 found that out of the 11,000 residents examined, nearly 6% needed further psychological testing or care. The exercise was conducted by the government of Hong Kong and was free of cost.
Hong Kong secretary for health Lo Chung-mau informed the Hong Kong legislative council that the screening drive focused on those with no apparent signs of mental health issues. He said those with mental health symptoms are not encouraged for these screenings, they are referred to a medical professional.
A report in South China Morning Post quotes Mr Chung-mau, “People often visit district health centres for physical check-ups, but by adding this mental health screening there, we could find out who did not know they had such needs and provide relevant support.”
The screening exercise was launched in August 2024 as a pilot scheme and covered three district health centres in Tuen Mun, Eastern district and Yau Tsim Mong. These screenings were carried out in adult residents using questionnaires.
Those found to be suffering from mild to moderate depression or anxiety were then referred to NGOs for further assessment and low-intensity psychological therapy by trained mental health practitioners without charge.
By December 2024 the three centres had screened more than 11,000 residents, of which 6% or 700 people were referred to well-being practitioners.
According to AXA Mind Health Study 2024 majority of the working population in Hong Kong suffers from multiple mental health problems related to work, and disengagement is alarmingly high.
The annual survey released in August 2024 painted a concerning picture of Hong Kong's workforce grappling with high stress levels and mind health challenges. A staggering 77% of workers in the city have experienced at least one mind health issue stemming from their jobs.
Out of 300 residents who received further assessments in the government’s screening programme, 266 were found to have mild to moderate emotional distress and were referred to low-intensity psychological therapy. The secretary health said that 80% of those who completed the therapy showed significant improvements in their clinical symptoms.
The remaining 34 residents were classified as high-risk and referred for more professional support.