Hong Kong’s Education Bureau gives HK$80,000 grant to local schools for mental health awareness
- Each local primary and secondary school in the city has been given funding to promote student well-being following a rise in teen suicides
- Teachers and experts have raised concerns about the timeline outlined by the Bureau, saying it could cut lesson hours already shortened by the Covid-19 pandemic
Hong Kong’s Education Bureau will give each local primary and secondary school HK$80,000 to promote student mental health amid a worrying rise in teen suicides. Photo: ShutterstockBefore you read: In the wake of surging teen suicides, the Education Bureau has increased funding for local schools to raise awareness about mental health, but some teachers have expressed concerns over the timing and requirements.
Think about it: How can the government achieve its goal of promoting mental well-being among students? Do you think the grant will help?
Hong Kong’s Education Bureau has given a grant of HK$80,000 to each of the city’s local primary and secondary schools, including HK$20,000 for parent-teacher associations to promote mental health this month following a series of teen suicides.
Last Thursday, the Bureau issued a circular recommending that schools organise a “Spread the Love, Care and Shine” campaign and dedicate a day to mental health this month. They also advised prioritising the well-being of students and closely monitoring their mental health.
Hong Kong reports 22 teenage suicide attempts or deaths in 3 months, double the number from 2022
“Schools should review the students’ workload and assessments in a practical and professional approach according to [their] abilities and needs, ensuring that they have sufficient time and space for beneficial physical and mental activities to help alleviate stress,” the circular said.
However, two local secondary school teachers and an expert have expressed concerns about the campaign’s tight timeline, worried it may have the opposite effect.
Edith Wong, leader of the student support team and an English teacher at a school in Tuen Mun, said the government grant comes at the “wrong time and pace” for her school, which has already taken proactive steps to support student’s well-being, including a sharing session during lunchtime where students could express their emotions to social workers, supportive messages and gifts, and a teacher workshop to equip them with the skills to assist students dealing with suicidal thoughts.
The city recorded 22 teenage suicide attempts or deaths between August and October this year, double the number from the same period last year, according to the Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at the University of Hong Kong (CSRP). Wong said students may be struggling to adapt after the pandemic, in part because many teachers have felt the need to speed up lessons to make up for lost time.
The pressure to keep up can have a huge impact on students. According to Wong, a survey conducted at her school found that academic stress is the leading cause of students’ mental health struggles, and trying to fit in the recently-announced plans from the Bureau would only add to that pressure as “implementing all the required activities would also mean cutting lesson hours.”
Instead of only offering short-term relief, Wong suggested that the government mandate comprehensive training on supporting students with special needs and mental health issues before teachers start working.
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She cautioned that apathy, a change in temperament and giving away belongings are some early signs of those dealing with suicidal thoughts.
Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai, founding director of the CSRP, echoed Wong’s concerns, saying that while he appreciated the Bureau’s move, he worried about the pressure the timeline could place on teachers, saying: “I know they [the Bureau] feel the urgency to take action, but they need to take into account the needs of schools.”
“The reason why so many [students] take their lives is often because of the pressure to race against time to achieve a set of goals.”
Yip warned that the surge in student suicides is worrying: “If there is no suitable and effective intervention, it will be a crisis among teens,” he said, adding that November, exam month, is when students feel the most pressure.
Ansley Lee Kwan-ting, a special education needs coordinator and teacher at Kiangsu Chekiang College, said that her school has received reports of troubled teens with suicidal thoughts since the start of the school year.
“In my experience, many students feel helpless when it comes to coping with their emotions,” said Lee, who has been in education for more than 10 years.
The teacher welcomed the grant but said educators needed more time to identify students’ needs and plan activities.
“We would appreciate if the Bureau set a longer period for schools to organise the activities required in the circular, as we need time to source appropriate and professional services,” she said.
If you have suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans, +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services or online youth support platform Open Up at openup.hk