1 in 4 men in Hong Kong at risk of moderate to severe mental health problems, poll finds

A survey has revealed that nearly one in four men in Hong Kong have a moderate to severe risk of mental health problems, with about half of them between 35 and 54 years old, prompting calls for more support targeting this group.

The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong on Saturday released the survey results of 1,698 men aged above 18, which showed that 417 of them had moderate or severe mental health risks.

Among them, 50.8 per cent were those aged 35 to 54, according to the findings.

The association carried out the online survey between last October and September this year, with the results released ahead of International Men’s Day on Tuesday.

“Many men are facing long working hours without time and room to relax as well as financial struggles,” said Leung Ka-chun, project manager of the Jockey Club Men’s Space of the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong.

He added that this high-risk group of men were often reluctant to seek help and called for more support targeting them on top of public education to remove the negative labelling of mental issues.

The association also conducted questionnaire assessments among those receiving services under its Jockey Club Men’s Space – a three-year project funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to offer mental health support for men.