In his latest Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee continues to devote attention to the mental health of young people, launching a “Mental Health Literacy” resource kit suitable for upper primary and junior secondary levels, actively enhancing students’ awareness of the issue, and assisting schools in promoting mental health. In the first school year after the resumption of the COVID-19 pandemic, students’ interpersonal and social skills, as well as peer connections have become weaker than before, coupled with the urge to catch up with studies. As of 26/10/2023, 14 students have committed suicide since the beginning of the school year (9/2023), which is a cause for lament and concern. The Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong (BGCA) supports the Government’s proposal to strengthen the “mental health literacy” of students, and hope to raise the following concerns:

1. Youth mental health problem remains serious

According to the latest figures, a total of 71 cases of suicide among primary and secondary school students were recorded in the past three years; and the local study “Hong Kong Youth Epidemiological Study of Mental Health 2019 - 2022” (HK-YES) also revealed that only about 17% of young people with mental illnesses were receiving psychiatric or psychological services, and close to 70% of young people with mental illness had not sought any form of services. Based on the statistics on casework provided by our stationing school social workers in secondary schools, over 40% of the students’ major issues were related to their emotional and mental health, and academic stress, interpersonal social interaction, and family relationships are often the root causes of their problems. As such, there is a need to strengthen the matching of all-round community services.

2. Tripartite cooperation among schools, communities and families

School is an important place for young people to grow up. In addition to learning knowledge, the shaping of personal characters and the cultivation of problem-solving abilities are also significant for youth. The main components of mental health literacy include awareness of mental health, ways to maintain good mental wellness, and encouraging those in need to actively seek help. Schools usually provide talks or activities on related topics or offer more in-depth group support to students with particular concerns. BGCA suggests schools implement the “Mental Health Literacy” programme and incorporate it into the regular curriculum, in order to increase the number of students who can be supported by the programme, and to create a caring classroom atmosphere. We believe that strengthening the emotional connection between students and teachers is one of the important protective factors in preventing youth suicide.

The sources of anxiety or stress of young people sometimes come from the school environment, such as academic pressure, peer relationships, etc. Community services can provide emotionally disturbed youths with a one-stop, youth-specific, and non-stigmatised service, offering counseling, assessment, and appropriate referrals for youths in need. Parents’ understanding and support for emotionally disturbed youths are also very crucial in enhancing their mental health.

3.  School-based and community collaboration to comprehensively enhance the mental health literacy of youth

As part of our efforts to enhance the youth's mental health, BGCA is now developing a school-based “Mental Health Literacy” programme to support schools in promoting the mental health of young people. Besides, we have also launched a number of projects related to the mental health of youth and parents, aiming to raise the “mental health literacy” of youth, parents and the general public. They include:

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