Social unrest in Hong Kong now is associated with more mental health problems

A new study finds that recent political events in Hong Kong could mean an increased need for mental health care. Researchers surveyed between 1,200-1,700 adults at nine different time points over a decade starting in 2009. They found that the prevalence of probable depression after last year’s protests in the region was five times higher than before the 2014 Occupy Central protests (which advocated for a democratic electoral system). Suspected cases of PTSD after the 2019 protests were also six times higher than before 2014. Those who used social media for at least two hours daily to monitor political news were also more likely to report mental health distress. The authors estimate that across the population, these figures could mean a 12% increase in the caseload for mental health practitioners, and warn that Hong Kong is underresourced to handle the extra need.