The HKFYG publishes results of “Youth Mental Health Conditions” survey

Summary

The HKFYG publishes results of “Youth Mental Health Conditions” survey

Revealing rising back-to-school stress and depressive mood levels

Launching “Shall We Talk, Shall We Walk,” a new one-stop, one-click wellness platform

• As the new academic year begins, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) today (24 October) announces the results of its “Youth Mental Health Conditions” survey.

• In September, the HKFYG Counselling Services team conducted a convenience sample survey, collecting self-reported online data on back-to-school stress and mental health status from 6,073 secondary students across Forms 1 to 6.

• Back-to-school stress levels have risen for the first time in four years, while depressive symptoms were found to be prevalent across year groups.

• In response to the survey findings, the HKFYG has launched “Shall We Talk, Shall We Walk” (TalknWalk.hk), a new one-stop, one-click wellness platform that consolidates all of its counselling and wellness services under one roof.

Survey findings:

• Increased back-to-school stress – 45.1% of secondary students surveyed rated their back-to-school stress levels between 7 and 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, marking the first increase after four consecutive years of decline.

• Concerns about academic performance – When asked to pick their top three concerns, most students cited declining grades (44.6%), lack of motivation to study (37.9%), overwhelming homework or assessments (37.4%) and difficulty keeping up with the tight curriculum (37.9%).

• Prevalence of depressive symptoms – Form 6 students preparing for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examinations reported an average CES-D score of 22.3*. Even Form 1 students, who are just starting secondary school, reported an average CES-D score of 17.0*.

• Role of connectedness in mental health – Rating their sense of connectedness in school, at home and online, Form 1 students reported a high level, while Forms 2 to 6 students reported a moderate level. The survey thus found a negative relation between connectedness and depression^#.

• Varying levels of connectedness – In school, students feel closest to their classmates and view them as confidants but are less connected to teachers or social workers. At home, they feel cared for by family members but are often reluctant to discuss their problems. Online, students relate to peers in social media communities but find it difficult to open up or seek help.

* Respondents were asked to rate how often they experienced symptoms associated with depression in the week prior to the survey, based on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). A cut-off score of 16 or higher indicates the presence of depressive symptoms.

^# Previous studies have found a sense of connectedness to be a determinant of mental health. Consistent with these findings, the survey confirmed that the stronger the sense of connectedness, the fewer depressive symptoms were present.

• Phone and online counselling support – From September 2023 to September 2024, the HKFYG’s counselling helplines handled 18,920 calls for emotional support. The team also provided online counselling to 2,408 youths, addressing issues like academic pressure, depressive moods and low connectedness.

• Commenting on the survey’s implications, Andy Chan, Supervisor at the HKFYG says, “The survey offers a glimpse into the mental health issues that young people are facing. Low motivation to reach out for help and limited awareness of available mental health services may impede the early detection of potential mental health problems.” He urges parents, social workers and youth workers to strengthen connections with young people to aid in the early identification of those in need of mental health support. He also calls for the destigmatisation of mental health care through public awareness and education.

• Launch of TalknWalk.hk, a new wellness platform – In response to the survey findings, the HKFYG is committed to promoting and supporting youth mental health in more comprehensive and accessible ways. Its newly launched wellness platform, “Shall We Walk, Shall We Talk”, consolidates all of its counselling and wellbeing services under one roof. This offers one-click access and one-stop solutions for youth aged 6 to 29 experiencing mild to moderate mental health struggles, ranging from counselling services to emotional health assessments and holistic wellness experiences.

• Explaining the platform’s offerings, Sandy Ma, Supervisor at the HKFYG says, “‘Shall We Talk, Shall We Walk’ provides hybrid counselling options, including phone, text and in-person sessions. Through assessment and screening, counsellors can identify youth facing potential mental health challenges and guide them towards appropriate wellness experiences, as part of a “social prescribing” approach to managing mental health.

Shall We Talk, Shall We Walk (WalknTalk.hk) seeks to connect youth with the counselling, wellbeing and mental health resources available at the HKFYG. The platform’s name, “Shalk We Talk, Shall We Walk,” reflects its commitment to ensuring that youth feel heard, supported and connected. For more information, please visit talknwalk.hk.

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