COVID-19 has had far-reaching effects across all walks of life in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. However, we remain in a much safer and stronger position than most. We witness many countries throughout the international community attempt to come to terms with massive disruption to everyday norms. Many are paying a staggering cost in social and economic terms for failing to appropriately address the problem, often placing political or economic agendas ahead of scientific evidence or the health and safety of their people.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus has activated a new and fertile breeding ground for another serious problem — one that needs to be publicly acknowledged, actively addressed, or ignored at our peril. Something that has historically been neglected, received minimal or some would say inadequate attention, and will inevitably soon reach a tipping point at a very high cost to the community, placing further demands on a health service that is ill-equipped to deal with the problem: mental health and related illnesses.
Extremes and the unprecedented nature of many of the events that have occurred since the outbreak of COVID-19 have negatively impacted pretty much everyone in the community in some manner. In the process, life stress paradigms hitherto unknown in our society have been created and continue to evolve. Mental health issues are most often associated with and predominant in lower-income communities where the necessity for families to survive combined with the absence of financial security, poor nutrition and low living standards directly relate to diminishing physical health and often trigger mental illness. However it is a problem that knows no boundaries, and the effects on those closest to a person suffering from a mental disorder are often devastating. If some conditions are not diagnosed at an early stage or if psychiatric care is inadequate or not provided, the effects can be extremely harmful and in some cases life-threatening. Far too many cases result in attempted or actual suicide. The effects on those closest to the victims can also result in problematic behavioral patterns and mental illness, so certain conditions can become self-perpetuating.
Increasingly, more people are vulnerable or at risk to the stresses and strains that are being experienced as a result of COVID-19. This will inevitably lead to deterioration in public health and the early onset of mental illness for an increasing number of people of all ages
Increasingly, more people are vulnerable or at risk to the stresses and strains that are being experienced as a result of COVID-19. This will inevitably lead to deterioration in public health and the early onset of mental illness for an increasing number of people of all ages. In recent months, pressures seem to surround us. Massively diminished social engagement both at home or with friends and family abroad, the challenges of home learning, the general fear among those most vulnerable of catching the coronavirus, the constant and widespread news coverage of rapid escalation of victims in many countries — all combine to increase levels of anxiety that differ from individual to individual, and which some are better equipped to cope with than others. All of this falls upon a backdrop of considerable economic turmoil and uncertainty that show no signs of abating despite the rhetoric to which we are exposed.
Any single one of these factors would qualify as a potential trigger for diminishing mental health, but collectively, they pose a very serious threat to public health and need to be acknowledged and addressed.
Over the past five months, many people have lost their jobs or have had working hours reduced with the prospects of getting a new job becoming increasingly difficult. This has placed immense financial pressure on families, particularly where the income of more than one member of the family is affected. Remembering that the Hong Kong SAR remains ranked as one of the top three most expensive places in the world to live in, an increasing number of people are experiencing extreme hardship. The income gap continues to increase.
Despite the slowdown in the economy and at best a bleak forecast in the short term, property prices remain staggeringly high, particularly in the rental market, with substantial increases witnessed in the lowest segments of the market. Weekly grocery bills have also disproportionately escalated, and people were forced to eat at home because of restaurant closures and social-distancing measures. More and more people have had to rely on charitable support, but the net result for many is a poor diet and more junk food, which will inevitably impact healthcare services further down the line.
One of the key areas that has impacted many people is the disruption to daily routines caused by social distancing and the closure of many amenities where people regularly congregate and socialize. Reduced personal interaction and resulting isolation from family, friends, colleagues or customers, some of which has been brought about by working from home, has increased levels of depression, which can often result in outbursts of anger or rage. The situation was greatly exacerbated by the closure of kindergartens, schools and universities, which forced families together, often in for extended periods in unsuitable conditions, depriving many of the social norms that feed their very existence.
One sad manifestation is the widespread increase in domestic abuse, which includes physical, psychological and sexual abuse that is often related to or results in mental health issues. More often than not, the victims are women and children. Help lines of charities focused on providing support are reporting a significant increase in calls for assistance. The government has not released any statistics during the pandemic, but in the opinion of many social workers and NGOs, there has been a significant increase.
It now falls on the government to ensure that all relevant departments have the understanding, knowledge and tools at their disposal to combat the increase in mental health-related problems.
The author is chairman of the Multitude Foundation.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
