Study Buddy (Challenger): Hong Kong’s doctors and nurses are in need of mental health support
- Research published in 2021 revealed 16 per cent of doctors surveyed reported depressive symptoms, with fewer than half saying they had been formally diagnosed
- This page is for students who want to take their reading comprehension to the next level with difficult vocabulary and questions to test their inference skills
A study revealed that 17.2 per cent of nurses in Hong Kong suffered from moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. Photo: ShutterstockContent provided by British Council
Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below:
[1] A recent study of the mental health of young Hongkongers has found that more than 16 per cent of them have a probable psychiatric disorder. In light of these findings, I hope more attention can also be paid to the mental health struggles faced by those in the medical profession.
[2] Despite the efforts to raise awareness, mental health remains a taboo topic of discussion – especially among healthcare workers.
[3] Research published in 2021 revealed a 16 per cent prevalence of depressive symptoms among surveyed doctors, with fewer than half reporting being formally diagnosed, and 15.3 per cent expressing thoughts of suicide. Another study revealed that 17.2 per cent of local nurses suffered from moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, attributed to increased work pressure and infection concerns amid the Covid-19 pandemic. These figures are terrifying.
[4] Aside from the physical toll of long, unpredictable shifts and often chaotic workplaces, the potential effects of these working conditions on mental health cannot be ignored. However, many do not even realise that healthcare workers suffer from mental illness.
[5] Perhaps it comes down to preconceived notions. Healthcare workers are lauded for their intellectual acumen, tenacity and seemingly limitless physical, mental and emotional reserves. Consequently, this subjects them to constant pressure to fit these perceptions.
[6] Society tends to commend those who “soldier on”, personal challenges notwithstanding. Moreover, the emphasis on professionalism is easily misconstrued – leading some to believe that openly expressing emotions on the job is wrong.
[7] Such behaviour is sometimes stigmatised as outward expressions of emotion are considered signs of weakness, further propagating fears of being perceived as inferior or ill-suited to a medical career. It isn’t surprising, then, that many healthcare workers do not seek support.
[8] Few careers require making life-or-death decisions – a daily responsibility and burden that healthcare workers willingly shoulder, with its emotional impact often going unnoticed. It is ironic that those who treat disease and promote health are also the ones who are often forced to silently struggle with their own mental health issues. It is essential that we appreciate and protect our doctors, nurses and allied health workers. We desperately need interventions aimed at raising awareness about, and destigmatising, mental health in the medical field and beyond.
[9] Healthcare workers bear witness to some of humanity’s most joyous and tragic events. Thus, it is only natural that they experience the emotions that arise. Acknowledging and accepting this vulnerability, if anything, only makes them more human, and arguably better at their jobs.
Source: South China Morning Post, May 25
Questions
1. According to paragraph 2, healthcare workers are often __________ their own mental health.
A. inspired to discuss
B. discouraged from talking about
C. urged to disclose
D. all of the above
2. In paragraph 3, which of the following is an outcome of the research published in 2021?
A. Less than 8 per cent of the doctors surveyed had been diagnosed with depression.
B. About 17 per cent of the nurses surveyed reported symptoms of depression and anxiety.
C. More than two of every 10 nurses suffer from anxiety.
D. Doctors struggled with depression because of a fear of contracting Covid-19.
3. In paragraph 3, why were the nurses who were surveyed experiencing symptoms of anxiety?
4. Find a word in paragraph 5 that has a similar meaning to “perseverance”.
5. Who does “them” in paragraph 5 refer to?
6. According to paragraph 8, what needs to be done to help healthcare workers struggling with mental health?
7. What word is used in paragraph 9 to make a statement of an opinion or belief less absolute?
8. Decide if the following statements are True, False or Not Given in the text. Fill in ONE circle only for each statement. (4 marks)
(i) The people who provide medical care are often silently grappling with their own mental health challenges.
(ii) Doctors suffer from decision fatigue because they have to make life-or-death decisions every day.
(iii) The general public holds a high opinion of medical professionals.
(iv) Symptoms of anxiety are extremely rare in Hong Kong nurses according to research published two years ago.
9. Which of the following cannot be inferred from the article?
A. The writer feels strongly about the mental health of medical professionals.
B. The writer understands why many healthcare workers do not seek support for their mental health issues.
C. The writer is upset that mental health is still a taboo topic in Hong Kong.
D. The writer believes it is the government’s responsibility to raise awareness about mental health in Hong Kong.
Answers
1. B
2. A
3. tenacity
4. increased work pressure and infection concerns amid the Covid-19 pandemic
5. healthcare workers
6. There needs to be interventions aimed at raising awareness about, and destigmatising, mental health in the medical field.
7. arguably
8. (i) T; (ii) NG; (iii) T; (iv) F
9. D