CUHK survey finds depression index hitting new high, with 30pc of HKers affected

The alarm bells for Hong Kong's mental health are ringing louder than ever. The latest "Hong Kong Depression Index Survey," jointly conducted by the Department of Social Work at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong, has revealed record-high levels of depression and anxiety among the city's residents. The findings are particularly stark for Gen Z (young people aged 18-24), with excessive use of electronic devices showing a significant link to emotional distress.

The seventh "Hong Kong Depression Index Survey," conducted in 2025, successfully collected over 2,600 questionnaires. At the press conference announcing the results, Professor Angela Cue Jia-liang from CUHK's Department of Social Work pointed out that the average depression score for Hongkongers has reached 7.27 points—the highest ever recorded in the survey's history. Nearly 30% of respondents reported experiencing moderate to severe depressive symptoms.

Most alarmingly, the proportion of people estimated to need professional treatment for moderate to severe depression or above has risen significantly from 11.1% in 2023 to 13.1%, representing an 18% increase. Compared to 2020's figure of 8.4%, this marks a staggering 56% surge—a situation that cannot be ignored.

Anxiety levels are equally concerning. The average anxiety score also hit a record high of 5.90 points. The proportion of people experiencing moderate to severe anxiety jumped sharply from 18.5% in 2023 to 22.6%, while the rate of severe anxiety skyrocketed by over 40%. These figures reflect the immense pressure Hong Kongers continue to face as they adapt to recent social and economic changes.

Gen Z Mental Health Crisis: Is Excessive Screen Time the Culprit?

Among all age groups, the mental health of the 18-24 "Gen Z" cohort is the most concerning. Cui noted that this age group scored higher for both depression and anxiety than any other adult demographic.

Within the Gen Z respondents, the proportions experiencing moderate to severe depression or anxiety reached 43.5% and 32.7% respectively—far exceeding other age brackets. The survey data also clearly demonstrated a significant positive correlation between average screen time and depression and anxiety scores among Gen Z, suggesting an inextricable link between excessive use of electronic devices and emotional distress.

Over Half Avoid Seeking Help, AI Chats Become "Emotional Tree Holes"

When facing stress, a staggering 55% of respondents stated they would not (or were unsure if they would) seek help from professionals like social workers or psychologists. The main reasons cited were being "too busy with life" and "believing in their own ability to cope." However, the data reveals that those who choose to leave stress unaddressed have significantly higher depression and anxiety scores.

A notable new trend is that "AI assistants" have jumped to become the sixth most common source of support for citizens. Data indicates that people who turn to AI for help tend to have relatively higher depression and anxiety scores. This suggests that AI is becoming a "tree hole" for some individuals experiencing emotional distress, but it also presents new challenges for society, potentially delaying access to professional help.

Psychiatrist Dr. Benjamin Lai San-shun reminded the audience at the conference that depression affects sufferers in multiple ways—emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally. Symptoms like persistent low mood, insomnia, and changes in appetite can severely impact daily life. He strongly advised the public to pay closer attention to the emotional changes of friends and family and to build strong support networks to facilitate early detection and early help-seeking.

Call for a Comprehensive Support Network

In response to the survey findings, Stephen Wong Man-shun, Deputy Chief of the Executive Committee at the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong, urged the public not to avoid seeking help due to stigma. He encouraged people experiencing persistent emotional problems to actively seek professional assistance. He also proposed several recommendations to build a comprehensive support network for society:

• Targeting Gen Z: Tertiary institutions make "Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)" a compulsory subject to enhance university students' ability to cope with academic and future pressures, both for self-help and supporting peers.
• Personal Habits: Encourage individuals to develop a daily routine of "leisure exercise" (such as walking or stretching) to effectively manage emotions. Companies could also support this by allocating time for employee exercise.
• Mindful Tech Use: He also called on the public to recognize the potential harms of electronic devices, avoid over-reliance on the internet as an emotional outlet, and prevent interactions with AI from substituting for real human connection, which could delay the timing of seeking professional help.