In Hong Kong, it seems like everyone is under some kind of pressure. Whether it's the deadline for an important business deal, a child's exam results, or just keeping up with the latest fashions, we're all feeling the strain. It's no surprise then that mental health issues seem to be on the rise here: a 2010 study found that only 20% of mentally ill people in Hong Kong were seeking help from medical professionals; research has shown an increased risk of suicide when mental illness is left untreated; and a survey showed that up to 63% of university students in Hong Kong reported feeling depressed often or sometimes while up to 47% felt lonely often or sometimes. So how can you tell if someone close to you might be suffering from depression?
There are around 750 registered psychologists registered with the Hong Kong Psychological Society working in Hong Kong, many of which are expats who can provide counselling services. With more than 900 suicides recorded last year alone, what can we do about this growing epidemic?
在香港，似乎每個人都在承受著某種壓力。無論是重要商業交易的期限、孩子的考試成績，還是追趕時尚潮流，我們都感到了壓力。因此，精神健康問題在這裡似乎是日益增長：一項2010年的研究發現，只有20%的精神病患者在香港尋求醫生幫助；研究顯示，如果精神疾病未得到治療，自殺風險會增加；而一項調查顯示，多達63%的香港大學生報道經常或有時會感到低落，而多達47%的人經常或有時會感到孤單。那麼，你如何察覺身邊的人可能正在遭受抑鬱症的折磨呢？
香港有大約750名註冊心理學家，在香港心理學會註冊，在香港工作，其中許多是提供諮詢服務的移居者。僅去年一年就記錄了900多起自殺事件，我們對這種日益增長的疫情能做些什麼呢？
Mental health issues seem to be on the rise in Hong Kong
You may have noticed that mental health issues seem to be on the rise in Hong Kong. According to MindHK, 61% of Hong Kong adults currently suffer from poor mental well-being.
This is not surprising considering how stressful life can be in Hong Kong. Mental health problems are very common here, and many people do not know where to turn when they need help or support. The good news is that there are many services available for those who need them. The bad news is that many people are still unaware of these services or do not know where to turn when they need help. The stigma surrounding mental health issues also makes it difficult for many people to seek out the help they need.
香港的心理健康問題似乎在加劇
或許您已經注意到，香港的心理健康問題似乎在加劇。根據MindHK的數據，61%的香港成年人目前心理福祉狀況較差。
考慮到香港生活的壓力，這並不令人驚訝。心理健康問題在這裡非常普遍，許多人在需要幫助或支援時不知道該去哪裡。好消息是，有很多服務可供需要的人使用。壞消息是，許多人仍然對這些服務一無所知，或者在需要幫助時不知道該去哪裡求助。心理健康問題周圍的污名也使得許多人難以尋求他們需要的幫助。
The numbers are scary too!
According to a 2019 survey of university students in Hong Kong, 63% reported feeling depressed and anxious often or sometimes, while 47% felt lonely often or sometimes. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The government has taken steps to address this issue, but more needs to be done. For example, there are now mental health services available in universities and colleges around Hong Kong. However, there is still much work to be done to eliminate the stigma associated with seeking help associated with mental health.
數字也很可怕！
根據2019年對香港大學生進行的調查，有63%的人報告稱經常或偶爾感到抑鬱和焦慮，而47%的人經常或偶爾感到孤獨。這是一個需要尽快解決的嚴重問題。政府已經採取措施解決這個問題，但還需要做得更多。例如，香港各大專科學院的大學和學院中現在提供了心理健康服務。然而，要消除與尋求心理健康方面的幫助相關的污名，還有很多工作要做。
Signs that someone you love may be suffering from depression
Depression is a mood disorder and can be debilitating. If you suspect that someone you love is suffering from depression, look out for signs such as a change in their eating or sleeping habits, loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, sadness, and lack of motivation. Depression can lead to other mental health issues, such as anxiety and bipolar disorder.
Depression is not a sign of weakness; it's an illness that needs treatment just like any other physical illness would.
表明您所愛的人可能患有抑鬱症的跡象
抑鬱症是一種情緒障礙，可能導致身體嚴重虛弱。如果您懷疑您所愛的人患有抑鬱症，請注意他們的飲食或睡眠習慣是否發生變化、對曾經喜歡的活動失去興趣、悲傷和缺乏動力等跡象。抑鬱症可能導致其他心理健康問題，如焦慮症和躁鬱症。
抑鬱症並不是軟弱的象徵，它是一種需要像其他身體疾病一樣接受治療的疾病。
Mental health help is available in Hong Kong
There are around 750 registered psychologists registered with the Hong Kong Psychological Society working in Hong Kong, many of which are expats who can provide counselling services.
Psychologists are trained to help people with mental health problems. They can help you understand your feelings and behaviour, as well as find ways to cope with them. They might suggest that some of your problems have been caused by something that has happened in your past (for example, abuse or trauma), but they will not judge you or tell other people what they have learned about you – it is confidential information that only belongs to the person being treated. You can find a list of mental health services in Hong Kong here: https://mindhk.org/en/services-and-support/
香港提供心理健康幫助
香港有大約750名註冊心理學家註冊在香港心理學會，其中很多都是在香港工作的外籍人士，他們可以提供諮詢服務。
心理學家受過專業訓練，可以幫助有心理健康問題的人。他們可以幫助您了解自己的感覺和行為，以及找到應對這些問題的方法。他們可能會建議您的一些問題是由過去發生的事情引起的（例如虐待或創傷），但他們不會對您加以評判，也不會告訴其他人他們了解到的有關您的信息-這是只屬於受治療者的保密信息。您可以在這裡找到香港的心理健康服務列表：https://mindhk.org/en/services-and-support/
Mental health matters!
Mental health matters! Mental health issues are on the rise, and they can affect anyone. Mental health services are available to help with a wide range of concerns. The best way to get started is by reaching out and talking with someone who can help you sort through your struggles, whether it's your family doctor or a professional counselor.
It is important to keep in mind that mental health issues are normal and can happen to anyone and everyone. There is no shame in having a mental health problem. With the right support and care, most people with mental health issues can get better.
心理健康很重要！
心理健康很重要！心理健康問題不斷上升，並可能影響到任何人。心理健康服務可提供協助，解決各種疑慮。開始的最好方法是找人傾訴，尋求幫助，無論是家庭醫生還是專業諮詢師。
重要的是要記住，心理健康問題是正常現象，可能發生在任何人身上。患有心理健康問題沒有什麼恥辱。在正確的支持和護理下，大多數心理健康問題的患者都可以痊愈。
Conclusion
Mental health is a topic that’s often overlooked, so we hope to raise awareness with these facts. The good news is that there are plenty of resources available in Hong Kong that can help you manage your mental health and seek treatment if needed. You should also know that it’s normal to feel stressed or depressed sometimes - it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you! At least, that is what we believe in Asteria.
結論
心理健康是一個經常被忽略的話題，所以我們希望通過這些事實提高人們的認識。好消息是，在香港有很多資源可以幫助你維護心理健康，並在需要時尋求治療。你還應該知道，有時感到壓力或抑鬱是正常的，這並不意味著你有什麼問題！至少，這是我們在Asteria所相信的。