ADHD, depression the most common mental disorders among Hong Kong primary, secondary schoolchildren, surveys reveal

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and depression are the most prevalent mental disorders among primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong, according to government-commissioned surveys. Wong Yan-lung, the chairman of the city's Advisory Committee on Mental Health, stated on Friday that these findings could help determine if the government is allocating the necessary resources to address these issues. He also shared some key figures from the surveys that will soon be made public.

During a mental health event, Wong disclosed that a government-commissioned survey involving 6,000 children and adolescents aged between six and 17 found that ADHD was the most common mental disorder among primary school students, representing around 13 per cent of the group. Depression, while not common among younger children, was the leading mental health issue among secondary school students, with about 10 per cent suffering from the disorder. Anxiety followed at 7. 8 per cent. Wong did not disclose the specific numbers of primary and secondary school students surveyed.

In another government-commissioned survey involving 4,500 individuals aged 60 or above, Wong revealed that 70 per cent of the elderly residing in care homes had severe forms of dementia. The details of this survey are yet to be announced to the public. Of the city's overall elderly population, 22 per cent have displayed early signs of this neurodegenerative disease. Two local universities were tasked by the government to conduct three citywide mental health surveys among different age groups. The number of Hong Kong students with mental health issues has doubled in four years. In addition to the surveys concerning the elderly and children, a survey of youngsters aged 15 to 24 was announced in May, which also found depression to be the most common mental disorder.