Your Voice: Elevate your mood and preserve Hong Kong culture (short letters)

The daily grind – demanding workloads and interpersonal conflicts – can significantly affect our mental well-being. Many individuals experience symptoms like depression, insomnia and appetite loss.

It is essential to learn effective stress management techniques. In addition to relaxation, we must build strong social connections and take part in activities we enjoy. This involves more than casual chats with friends; it means actively taking up hobbies and giving back to the community.

This provides a welcome distraction from work and worries, triggering the release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with happiness. Helping others also improves our mood, giving us a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

Incorporating regular exercise and monthly nature outings is also effective. Escaping the stressful “concrete jungle” allows us to appreciate the natural world’s beauty, a contrast to the city’s constant hustle. Hiking, in particular, provides fresh air and improves blood circulation.

Ultimately, improving mental health hinges on elevating our mood. Pick up a hobby, volunteer and escape the city to find meaning and recharge.

Your Voice: World peace and a fruitful career (short letters)

Josie Chow Yi-ching, King Ling College

Living and working in a different country broadens your horizons. Immersing yourself in a new culture teaches you about different traditions and perspectives, creating a global mindset.

You might encounter unique customs, festivals and ways of life, enriching your understanding of the world. The experience provides an excellent opportunity to learn new languages and slang from native speakers while enhancing communication skills.

Several career paths are ideal for international exploration. Working in hospitality, for example, provides constant interaction with people from all over the world.Aspiring designers can benefit immensely from working overseas, observing international trends and collaborating with artisans from diverse backgrounds.

This constant exchange of ideas can lead to innovative design and aesthetics, as well as a broader understanding of the world.

International experience makes resumes stand out, especially in globally-focused industries. Additionally, some countries, such as the United States and Canada, offer more attractive salaries and benefits than Hong Kong in specific fields, such as technology and medicine.

Fung Wing-sze, Tak Nga Secondary School

Hong Kong students face immense academic pressure, which leads to significant stress, negatively affecting their mental health.

One major contributor is the high expectations placed on students by parents, teachers and themselves. Many students feel they must achieve top marks to succeed, creating a constant sense of pressure.

This pressure is amplified by Hong Kong’s education system, where students frequently compete with peers for grades and opportunities. This competitive environment can lead to anxiety and feelings of inadequacy.

Students often study for hours and attend multiple extra classes, leaving little time for relaxation or leisure. This heavy workload can result in fatigue and chronic stress.

The intense focus on academics often means students have limited time for hobbies, sports or socialising with friends. This lack of balance can contribute to feelings of stress, isolation and burnout.

To mitigate stress, students must prioritise relaxation, finding activities they enjoy and seeking support from family and friends. They must also learn to understand and address their stressors and find healthy coping strategies.

Your Voice: Empower domestic violence survivors, accessible learning resources (long letters)

Sherren Leung Sze-wun, Leung Shek Chee College

The pandemic has led consumers to become price-conscious, favouring more affordable products. As prices in Hong Kong rise, along with operating costs, mainland China remains steady. This has fuelled a trend of cross-border shopping, contributing to local business closures in Hong Kong and the city’s economy slowing.

Local businesses are integral to Hong Kong’s identity and character. Government support is crucial for their survival.

To preserve Hong Kong’s unique culture, the government could organise workshops showcasing local businesses’ skills.

For example, inviting traditional artisans to teach tourists how to create handcrafted neon signs could revitalise interest in this iconic Hong Kong craft and support the remaining neon light businesses.

Such initiatives can boost the local economy and alleviate the financial strain on these businesses.

In summary, local businesses often lack the visibility needed to attract consumer interest. Increased government support, focusing on raising their profile and exposure, is essential for their long-term viability.