Anxiety fears spark mental health team up for youths

The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong and Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) have begun a three-year collaboration to promote mental health among youngsters after a poll by the association found more than 70 percent of them had anxiety issues.

The program targets secondary schools, youth centers and the community with the aim of raising awareness of mental health problems among teenagers.

The Youth Mental Well-being Survey 2023 conducted last month showed out of 230 respondents aged 11 to 29, 74 percent had a mild or higher level of anxiety.

The association's assistant director, Stephen Wong Man-shun, said preventive measures were needed to curb rising teenage mental illnesses.

An experimental youth mental wellness game hub has been set up in Lam Tin as part of the collaboration. Those who visit will take part in a 90-minute experience session. They are able to learn more about the symptoms and ways to alleviate mental health issues by taking part in activities.

They will be able to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The center also offers 12 games that are designed to help teenagers better handle negative emotions.

Workers who have recovered from mental illnesses will be invited to share with visitors how they have overcome their challenges.

The game hub will be open from today, but only to school groups who have made reservations. The public can make reservations from Thursday.

Wong said: "Teenagers tend to learn from experience, modeling and interaction with others. And our game hub could provide them, as well as their parents and teachers, with chances to experience the feeling of having mental illnesses."

Zurich Insurance chief executive Eric Hui said the company was happy to establish a long-term collaboration with the association.

"Today marks the start of a meaningful program, and we are fully committed to building a brighter future for the mental well-being of Hong Kong's youth."

Speaking of the future plan, Wong said they hoped to serve about 190,000 students, which is 58 percent of local secondary school students.

Wong said the organization has approached 60-70 secondary schools in Kwun Tong and Tai Po, inviting them to join the program next month.