Moderate happy levels among secondary students, 20pc struggling emotionally: survey

A recent survey revealed a moderate level of happiness among the city's secondary school students, with over 20 percent reporting moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Conducted by the Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service (BOKSS) between November and March, the survey interviewed a pool of 1,802 secondary students.

The findings showed a slight increase in the average happiness score to 2.9 out of 5, with approximately one-third of students achieving high levels of happiness, marking a 7.3 percent increase from the previous year.

However, more than 20 percent of respondents exhibited moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Notably, students were most dissatisfied with time management (40.7 percent), followed by academic performance (36 percent), and the public examination (33.6 percent).

Procrastination and emotional distress

The survey also found that about 30 percent of students struggle with academic procrastination, which correlates with higher levels of emotional distress and lower overall happiness. 

Clinical psychologist Jeff Kei Ching-nam from BOKSS noted that procrastination can stem from personalities, emotional health issues, perfectionism, and fear of failure. 

He recommended that students set realistic study goals, break down tasks and create a distraction-free study environment, while advising parents to show appreciation for their children's efforts.

Experts highlight youth mental health as new school year approaches

Michael Wong Tak-hing of the University of Hong Kong's Department of Psychiatry emphasized that students' procrastination reflects an intention to avoid emotional distress, urging society to provide support for early detection of mental health disorders. 

Furthermore, Wong advised students to adopt healthy lifestyles, including sufficient sleep and regular relaxation, to build resilience against stress. 

The group also suggested that schools equip students with emotional regulation techniques, conduct mental health screenings, and provide cognitive-behavioral education on dealing with failure and accepting imperfection.

They also highlighted the need for parents to differentiate between laziness and emotional distress, advocating for a societal shift in defining success.

With the new school year approaching, Kei urged parents to keep an eye out for signs of depression or anxiety, such as feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed hobbies, and decreased interaction with family and friends.