CoCo Lee's sudden passing has brought attention to the state of mental health in Hong Kong
, says HKU’s Calvin Cheng, a clinical assistant professor. “Before COVID, already more people [were] seeking for mental health service,” Cheng tells TIME, “because [of] more conflict amongst the citizens or the unhappy news in the TV.”
And while a government-backed advisory panel on mental health has promoted education and awareness in Hong Kong, Eric Chen, who chairs HKU’s psychiatry department, tells TIME that the city still lacks a systemic public health program to combat depression. “The mental health care system in Hong Kong is disproportionately under-resourced relative to the overall affluence of the city,” he says, adding that those who need to seek non-private mental health services have had to wait up to a year.
Heidi Lo, another HKU professor who specializes in adult psychiatry, says Lee’s death should be “an alerting signal” to the public: “Even someone as famous as CoCo Lee, who apparently seems to be successful and, from her photos on social media or on the news, she seems to always smile, like she seems to always be bringing joyful moments to others, but actually, she was facing the problem of depression.
“I think there is a lot of room for improvement in Hong Kong for making sense of it,” Lo says, “and facing it not like a taboo.” If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental-health crisis or contemplating suicide, call or text 988. In emergencies, call 911, or seek care from a local hospital or mental health provider.
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
UK-based Hong Kong dissident fearing for his life after £100,000 bounty offered for his arrestFinn Lau is one of eight exiled dissidents wanted by Hong Kong police, who have offered a reward of HK$1m (£100,500) for information leading to any of their arrests joeduggan1 reports
Weiterlesen »
Hong Kong puts a price on the heads of democracy activistsThis month Hong Kong police offered a reward of HK$1m ($128,000) for information leading to the arrest of any of eight pro-democracy activists and former lawmakers who have fled to the West
Weiterlesen »
Hong Kong's Troubling Bounties for Overseas DissidentsHong Kong's leader said that a group of exiled pro-democracy activists will be 'pursued for life.' The million-dollar bounties dissuade people all over the world from speaking up against diminishing freedoms in China and Hong Kong, observers say
Weiterlesen »
China accuses UK of harbouring Hong Kong fugitivesThe UK had criticised Hong Kong for placing bounties on eight pro-democracy activists based overseas.
Weiterlesen »
Why Hong Kong is criminalising a songUsing a national-security law to lock people up over a song is further proof of the government’s thin-skinned insecurity. Authorities show no sign of loosening their grip
Weiterlesen »