Youth Mental Health from a Youth Perspective — The Future
年青人眼中的青年精神健康 — 未來
(中文版本在下方 Chinese version below)
The difficulties that youth face are unique to their generation, which is why I’ve taken the time to talk to our interns. I want to get an understanding of what major challenges they are experiencing at this moment and how we can help create change. For all we know, what we as a team think they need might differ from what they want and need. To follow up on the first question and inform our work, I asked our youth summer interns:
“How would you like to see youth mental health change in the next 5 years?”
Jill — Grade 12, High-School Student
“I want to see teenagers treat mental health illnesses the same as other physical illnesses such as fever and diabetes. They should not feel ashamed seeking help when experiencing mental health problems. They should feel comfortable sharing their feelings and emotions with friends and families, and/or visit a professional when they need help or someone to talk to.”
Michelle — Year 1, University Student
“The ideal scenario would be for people to feel freedom and ease when they share their own mental health struggles. Also, that others will understand and support them, without the thought of judging them and treating them as ‘weirdos’. It will be hard for youth to change their mindset in a short time, but there must be some progress: When we change within ourselves and spread positive attitudes to people around us, this will happen. We need to start now.”
Melody — Grade 12, High-School Student
“I would hope the majority of youth not be afraid to tell others about their mental health experiences and hardships. Also, I hope to see them show more care and ask others ‘How okay are you?’ frequently. “
Charlie — Year 3, University Student
“Having studied in the UK for a significant amount of years, I think awareness of youth mental health in Hong Kong is definitely lacking. During my high school years, local students with mental health problems in the UK are happy to seek help and not worried about being looked down on by family or friends. I think in the next five years, Hong Kong will probably get a step closer to what’s happening in the UK. The traditional Chinese culture, which has rooted in many typical Chinese families, is one of the most challenging barriers that Hong Kong people face. I would hope that in the next five years, Hong Kong people can improve how society sees mental health.”
Ryan — Year 1, University Student
“An open discussion of youth mental health is certainly what I hope to see. There are many local youth-supporting organisations, but their efforts cannot be fully rewarded if there is no change in youth’ perceptions of mental health issues. I would really want to see an open attitude towards talking about mental health and more mutual support between local youth, such as having mental health awareness groups in local secondary schools.”
Eva — Form 6, High-School Student
“I would like to see more youth willing to express their feelings to others in the next five years. I know it is not easy to reach this goal, especially when mental health is not a hot issue in Hong Kong. However, I believe that it is time to change Hong Kong’s perspective and encourage more youth to care about their mental health.”
Natalie — Year 4, University Student
“In the next five years, I hope to see that society will show more empathy towards young people, who are suffering emotionally and seeking help. Specifically, I do not want to see anyone overreact or respond negatively to those suffering from mental health problems, which I have come across in the last few years. I also hope that young people will be more comfortable talking to each other about mental health; hopefully just as comfortable with talking about their holiday plans.”
Yan — Year 4, University Student
“I hope to see a lot more openness and vocality around mental health, so that issues can be managed at an early stage.”
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75% of mental health problems arise before the age of 24, and 50% are established by the age of 24. Targeting youth is the most effective way to prevent initial and further development of common mental health problems.
More resources are needed to foster a comfortable environment for youth to speak up about mental health, without worrying about judgements from people around them. Efforts are needed, so that young people are willing to seek help when needed to ensure they receive the most suitable support at the right time.
Improving attitudes towards youth mental health is not something that only relates to youth and people around them, it also requires efforts from the community. Learn more about mental health, be open to discussing mental health, so that youth can follow this as an example.
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This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Support youth mental health and suicide prevention today: https://www.simplygiving.com/event/support_youth_mentalhealth_suicideprevention
For resources and stories on youth mental health, please visit: www.coolmindshk.com
For a list of emergency contacts, please visit: www.mind.org.hk/find-help-now/
For other local mental health services, please visit our Community Directory: www.mind.org.hk/community-directory/
For more information on mental health in Hong Kong, please visit: https://www.mind.org.hk/mental-health-in-hong-kong/
For more information on seeking help in Hong Kong, please visit: https://www.mind.org.hk/getting-help/
青少年正面對著他們一代獨有的問題，因此我希望透過訪問他們來了解更多他們正面對的難關，以及我們可以如何協助作出改變。因為我們明白，一些我們以為對他們有幫助的資源可能有別於他們的實際需要。
延續上一條問題，我向他們提出另一條問題：
「你希望五年後的青年精神健康是怎麼樣的？」
Jill，Grade 12
「希望能看見青少年以看待身體疾病，如發燒、糖尿病一樣看待精神疾病。面對精神健康問題時，他們毋需再為尋求協助而感到羞愧；他們能夠坦然地與朋友或家人分享自己的感受與情緒，並適時尋找協助，或與人傾訴。」
Michelle，大學一年級
「理想情景可能是人們能自由地、坦誠地分享自己的精神健康困難，而身邊的人亦可以以不加批判的態度理解和支持，並公平地對待他們。也許在短期之內很難要年青人改變自己的想法，但必須要有進展：我們可以從自身開始作出改變，並將正面的態度傳播給身邊的人。我相信這終有一天會實現，但改變必須從現在開始。」
Melody，Grade 12
「我希望大部分青少年不會再害怕告訴別人有關自己的精神健康經歷和困難。我亦希望他們能多對別人表達關心，問問身邊的人『你有幾 OK？』」
Charlie，大學三年級
「在英國留學一段很長的時間後，對比起英國，我認為香港仍缺乏對青年精神健康的意識。在英國留學期間，我留意到當地學生在面對精神健康問題時，他們十分樂意尋求協助，而不會擔心被家人或朋友看輕。我覺得香港在未來五年可能可以縮短與英國的差距。然而，一些植根於中國家庭的傳統觀念將會是香港人在改善對精神健康意識的路上的挑戰之一。我希望在未來五年，香港人可以改善對精神健康的看法。」
Ryan，大學一年級
「我希望大眾能正視青年精神健康這個議題。社會上其實有許多向青少年提供支援的機構，然而如果青少年對精神健康的態度維持不變的話，再多的支援亦無助於改變現況。我真的很想看到年青人能以開明的態度看待精神健康，以及互相扶持，例如時在本地學校舉辦一些精神健康關注小組等。」
Eva，中學六年級
「五年之後，我希望青少年更願意與別人表達自己的感受。我明白這個目標有一定的挑戰，尤其當精神健康在香港並非一個備受關注的議題，要達成這個目標變得更困難。但我相信現在正是改變香港對精神健康的看法的最佳時機，並鼓勵更多青少年去關注自己的精神健康。」
Natalie，大學四年級
「在未來五年，我希望社會大眾能對青少年抱有更多同理心，尤其是對正經歷情緒困難並尋求協助的人。我不希望看見任何人對受精神健康問題困擾的人作出過大或負面的反應 ——這正是一些我在曾碰到的情況。我亦希望年青人能向別人如閒話家常一樣談論自己的精神健康。」
Yan，大學四年級
「我希望能社會能在精神健康議題上展開更多、更公開的討論，及早介入及處理問題。」
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75% 的精神健康問題在 24 歲之前出現，而 50% 則在 24 歲前形成。在青年時期及早介入往往是預防常見精神疾病形成及發展的最佳方法。
我們需要投放更多資源去建立一個舒適的環境，讓青少年能坦然地就精神健康發聲，不用擔心身邊的人的目光。我們需要進行更多工作，讓青少年願意在有需要的時候尋求協助，獲得最適切的協助。
改變對青年精神健康的態度不只是青年及其身邊的人的責任，要做出改變也需要來自社會的努力：了解更多精神健康、抱持開明的態度談及精神健康，以身教教育下一代，作為他們的榜樣。
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此文章內容僅為資訊分享，並不能替代專業醫療意見、診斷及治療。
支持青年健康及預防自殺： https://www.simplygiving.com/event/support_youth_mentalhealth_suicideprevention
瀏覽更多青年精神健康資源及分享： www.coolmindshk.com
如需緊急協助，請瀏覽： www.mind.org.hk/find-help-now/
瀏覽我們的心理健康服務指南了解更多其他本地精神健康服務： www.mind.org.hk/community-directory/
了解更多有關香港的精神健康，請瀏覽： www.mind.org.hk/mental-health-in-hong-kong/
了解更多在香港尋求協助，請瀏覽：www.mind.org.hk/getting-help/
