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[PRESS RELEASE] Nearly Half of Hongkongers Show Signs of Depression, Anxiety, or Both, Co-Study by Mind HK and Manulife Hong Kong Estimates

29/09/2025
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Nearly Half of Hongkongers Show Signs of Depression, Anxiety, or Both,
Co-Study by Mind HK and Manulife Hong Kong Estimates

The Hong Kong International Mental Health Conference 2025, organized by Mind HK and supported by headline sponsor Manulife, will convene global experts to address critical support gaps.

(For Immediate Release, 29 September 2025) – Hong Kong – It is estimated that 46% of Hongkongers have mild to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or both, with more than 16% falling into the moderate to severe clinical range. This was the headline finding from a survey of 1,000 Hong Kong residents aged 18 and above, commissioned by local mental health charity Mind HK in partnership with Manulife Hong Kong.

 

Young adults aged 18–29 were the most affected, with an estimated 43% experiencing symptoms of depression, including 20% assessed as moderate to severe, and 32% experiencing symptoms of anxiety, including 15% assessed as moderate to severe. 

 

Encourage open dialogue around mental health care

 

Despite the high prevalence of these symptoms, only 3% of respondents ranked professional counselling or therapy as their top source of support. This highlights a significant reluctance to seek professional help, potentially due to limited access to the appropriate resources, persistent stigmas around mental health support, and financial considerations. These findings underscore the urgent need to normalise evidence-based mental health care and ensure accessible, quality mental health support to help individuals navigate life’s defining moments.   

  

Significant life events affect mental health, respondents report               

Life challenges reported by respondents as being most detrimental to mental health were: Major financial difficulties (40%), relationship breakups (35%), job loss or redundancy (33%), death of a close friend (32%), and long-term job-seeking without success (27%). The prevalence of symptoms among younger people is likely due at least in part to facing life transitions such as entering the workforce, financial concerns and future uncertainties. These findings indicate that mental health challenges often arise from common and inevitable life experiences, emphasising the need for mental health support throughout the lifespan.

Emotional support lacking when needed

 

While 72% of respondents believe emotional support during life transitions is important, most do not receive adequate help when it is needed the most.

For example, 25% of respondents who experienced pregnancy loss in the past 12 months reported feeling completely unsupported, showing how emotional well-being is often overlooked during critical moments.

“We recognize that mental health is a critical part of holistic well-being, and the findings from this study highlight the importance of continued attention in this area. As individuals navigate different life stages and transitions, it’s essential to understand the challenges they face from multiple perspectives. Through our collaboration with Mind HK, we aim to foster greater awareness, encourage open conversations, and contribute to a society that prioritizes resilience and overall wellness,” said Patrick Graham, CEO of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau.

 

International Mental Health Conference in Hong Kong

 

Supported by headline sponsor Manulife, Mind HK will host the Hong Kong International Mental Health Conference from 6-8 November 2025. Themed “Navigating Life’s Defining Moments”, the event will bring together more than 50 experts to address mental health challenges faced during major life transitions.  

 

“Adjusting to major life transitions, whether joyful or painful, is central to the human experience. Yet with smaller families, city living, and changing work patterns, traditional sources of wisdom and support are disappearing. Events like pregnancy, parenthood, loss, divorce, or redundancy can feel like personal failures, surrounded by shame and isolation. Experienced alone, these moments can drive long-term and even intergenerational poor mental health. Through our conference, Mind HK is uniting research, lived experience, and community voices to ensure no one has to face life’s defining moments alone,” said Dr Lucy Lord, Executive Chair of Mind HK.

 

This conference is a central component of the strategic charity partnership between Mind HK and Manulife, launched in May 2024, which aims to raise public awareness of the importance of mental health and the associated support services in Hong Kong. More than 800 attendees from around the world are expected to join, with nearly 70 partners involved. It will feature over 50 international and local speakers from diverse fields, including:     

 

  • Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE, Professor Emeritus of Mental Health and Cultural Diversity, King’s College London; Past-President of World Psychiatric Association (2014-2017)
  • Dr Amos Cheung, Clinical Psychologist; President-Elect, The Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS)
  • Sarah Chapman, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, Global Chief Sustainability Officer, Global Head of Digital and Customer Centricity, Manulife
  • Professor Dixon Chibanda, Professor of Psychiatry, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM); Founder, The Friendship Bench
  • Donna Kirmani, Chief People Officer, Manulife Hong Kong & Macau
  • Professor Liona Poon, Professor (Clinical) & Co-Team Heads of Maternal Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Conference Days 1 and 2 are designed for professionals and anyone interested in mental health, with sessions highlighting evidence-based research addressing the challenges people face throughout their lives. Day 3 features the Mental Well-being Festival, which will offer engaging workshops and various inspiring guest speakers targeted towards the general public, including Rosa Maria Velasco, 6@Rubber Band, Serrini Leung and Crystal Cheung.

 

With programmes and content catering to both professionals and the general public, the conference aims to provide attendees with practical knowledge and strategies to support themselves and others throughout life’s journey.

 

Conference Details

 

  • Dates: 6–8 November 2025
  • Location: Hotel ICON & ReST Hub, Poly U
  • Language:  6-7 Nov: English ;  8 Nov: English and Cantonese (Cantonese/English simultaneous interpretation will be available for sessions in the ballroom)
  • Website: www.hkmentalhealthconference.com
  • Registration:  https://bit.ly/4p0ei3z

About Mind HK

 

Mind HK, officially known as Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited, is a registered charity under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (91/16471), established in 2017. Our mission is to ensure that no one faces a mental health problem alone. Through our work, we hope to improve awareness of mental health and mental health conditions, remove the associated stigma, and provide free psychological support to achieve the best mental health for all in Hong Kong. Together with the existing collaboration and research efforts, we are here to support Hong Kong in becoming a global leader and regional model for public mental health.

 

For more information about our work, vision, and mission, please visit our website: https://www.mind.org.hk/.

 

About Manulife Hong Kong

 

Manulife Hong Kong has been a trusted name for more than 125 years. Since our operations started in Asia in 1897, we have grown to become one of the top-tier providers of financial services, offering a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to over 2.6 million customers in Hong Kong and Macau. We are committed to helping make decisions easier and lives better for our customers.

 

Manulife Hong Kong, through Manulife International Holdings Limited, owns Manulife (International) Limited, Manulife Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited, and Manulife Provident Funds Trust Company Limited. These entities are all subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation.

 

About Manulife

 

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping our customers make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice and insurance for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2024, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 109,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 36 million customers. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ in Hong Kong.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

 

-END-

 

HD photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MnC1NF7BjFMoTlAtekb_kPeuR4gaP3Jk?usp=sharing 

 

Media Contact:

Mind HK (YETI PR)

Crystal Yam

 

E: crystal.yam@goxip.com

 

T: +852 9460 0046

 

Manulife (International) Limited

Crystal Tse / Yvonne Kwok

 

E: Crystal_ym_tse@manulife.com / Yvonne_yy_kwok@manulife.com

 

T: +852 2510 3130 / 2510 5032

 

Appendix – Key Survey Findings

 

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What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggles.

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

[PRESS RELEASE] Nearly Half of Hongkongers Show Signs of Depression, Anxiety, or Both, Co-Study by Mind HK and Manulife Hong Kong Estimates


Nearly Half of Hongkongers Show Signs of Depression, Anxiety, or Both,
Co-Study by Mind HK and Manulife Hong Kong Estimates

The Hong Kong International Mental Health Conference 2025, organized by Mind HK and supported by headline sponsor Manulife, will convene global experts to address critical support gaps.

(For Immediate Release, 29 September 2025) - Hong Kong – It is estimated that 46% of Hongkongers have mild to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or both, with more than 16% falling into the moderate to severe clinical range. This was the headline finding from a survey of 1,000 Hong Kong residents aged 18 and above, commissioned by local mental health charity Mind HK in partnership with Manulife Hong Kong.

 

Young adults aged 18–29 were the most affected, with an estimated 43% experiencing symptoms of depression, including 20% assessed as moderate to severe, and 32% experiencing symptoms of anxiety, including 15% assessed as moderate to severe. 

 

Encourage open dialogue around mental health care

 

Despite the high prevalence of these symptoms, only 3% of respondents ranked professional counselling or therapy as their top source of support. This highlights a significant reluctance to seek professional help, potentially due to limited access to the appropriate resources, persistent stigmas around mental health support, and financial considerations. These findings underscore the urgent need to normalise evidence-based mental health care and ensure accessible, quality mental health support to help individuals navigate life’s defining moments.   

  

Significant life events affect mental health, respondents report               

Life challenges reported by respondents as being most detrimental to mental health were: Major financial difficulties (40%), relationship breakups (35%), job loss or redundancy (33%), death of a close friend (32%), and long-term job-seeking without success (27%). The prevalence of symptoms among younger people is likely due at least in part to facing life transitions such as entering the workforce, financial concerns and future uncertainties. These findings indicate that mental health challenges often arise from common and inevitable life experiences, emphasising the need for mental health support throughout the lifespan.

Emotional support lacking when needed

 

While 72% of respondents believe emotional support during life transitions is important, most do not receive adequate help when it is needed the most.

For example, 25% of respondents who experienced pregnancy loss in the past 12 months reported feeling completely unsupported, showing how emotional well-being is often overlooked during critical moments.

“We recognize that mental health is a critical part of holistic well-being, and the findings from this study highlight the importance of continued attention in this area. As individuals navigate different life stages and transitions, it’s essential to understand the challenges they face from multiple perspectives. Through our collaboration with Mind HK, we aim to foster greater awareness, encourage open conversations, and contribute to a society that prioritizes resilience and overall wellness,” said Patrick Graham, CEO of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau.

 

International Mental Health Conference in Hong Kong

 

Supported by headline sponsor Manulife, Mind HK will host the Hong Kong International Mental Health Conference from 6-8 November 2025. Themed “Navigating Life’s Defining Moments”, the event will bring together more than 50 experts to address mental health challenges faced during major life transitions.  

 

“Adjusting to major life transitions, whether joyful or painful, is central to the human experience. Yet with smaller families, city living, and changing work patterns, traditional sources of wisdom and support are disappearing. Events like pregnancy, parenthood, loss, divorce, or redundancy can feel like personal failures, surrounded by shame and isolation. Experienced alone, these moments can drive long-term and even intergenerational poor mental health. Through our conference, Mind HK is uniting research, lived experience, and community voices to ensure no one has to face life’s defining moments alone,” said Dr Lucy Lord, Executive Chair of Mind HK.

 

This conference is a central component of the strategic charity partnership between Mind HK and Manulife, launched in May 2024, which aims to raise public awareness of the importance of mental health and the associated support services in Hong Kong. More than 800 attendees from around the world are expected to join, with nearly 70 partners involved. It will feature over 50 international and local speakers from diverse fields, including:     

 

  • Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE, Professor Emeritus of Mental Health and Cultural Diversity, King’s College London; Past-President of World Psychiatric Association (2014-2017)
  • Dr Amos Cheung, Clinical Psychologist; President-Elect, The Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS)
  • Sarah Chapman, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, Global Chief Sustainability Officer, Global Head of Digital and Customer Centricity, Manulife
  • Professor Dixon Chibanda, Professor of Psychiatry, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM); Founder, The Friendship Bench
  • Donna Kirmani, Chief People Officer, Manulife Hong Kong & Macau
  • Professor Liona Poon, Professor (Clinical) & Co-Team Heads of Maternal Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Conference Days 1 and 2 are designed for professionals and anyone interested in mental health, with sessions highlighting evidence-based research addressing the challenges people face throughout their lives. Day 3 features the Mental Well-being Festival, which will offer engaging workshops and various inspiring guest speakers targeted towards the general public, including Rosa Maria Velasco, 6@Rubber Band, Serrini Leung and Crystal Cheung.

 

With programmes and content catering to both professionals and the general public, the conference aims to provide attendees with practical knowledge and strategies to support themselves and others throughout life’s journey.

 

Conference Details

 

  • Dates: 6–8 November 2025
  • Location: Hotel ICON & ReST Hub, Poly U
  • Language:  6-7 Nov: English ;  8 Nov: English and Cantonese (Cantonese/English simultaneous interpretation will be available for sessions in the ballroom)
  • Website: www.hkmentalhealthconference.com
  • Registration:  https://bit.ly/4p0ei3z

About Mind HK

 

Mind HK, officially known as Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited, is a registered charity under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (91/16471), established in 2017. Our mission is to ensure that no one faces a mental health problem alone. Through our work, we hope to improve awareness of mental health and mental health conditions, remove the associated stigma, and provide free psychological support to achieve the best mental health for all in Hong Kong. Together with the existing collaboration and research efforts, we are here to support Hong Kong in becoming a global leader and regional model for public mental health.

 

For more information about our work, vision, and mission, please visit our website: https://www.mind.org.hk/.

 

About Manulife Hong Kong

 

Manulife Hong Kong has been a trusted name for more than 125 years. Since our operations started in Asia in 1897, we have grown to become one of the top-tier providers of financial services, offering a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to over 2.6 million customers in Hong Kong and Macau. We are committed to helping make decisions easier and lives better for our customers.

 

Manulife Hong Kong, through Manulife International Holdings Limited, owns Manulife (International) Limited, Manulife Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited, and Manulife Provident Funds Trust Company Limited. These entities are all subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation.

 

About Manulife

 

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping our customers make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice and insurance for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2024, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 109,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 36 million customers. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ in Hong Kong.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

 

-END-

 

HD photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MnC1NF7BjFMoTlAtekb_kPeuR4gaP3Jk?usp=sharing 

 

Media Contact:

Mind HK (YETI PR)

Crystal Yam

 

E: crystal.yam@goxip.com

 

T: +852 9460 0046

 

Manulife (International) Limited

Crystal Tse / Yvonne Kwok

 

E: Crystal_ym_tse@manulife.com / Yvonne_yy_kwok@manulife.com

 

T: +852 2510 3130 / 2510 5032

 

Appendix – Key Survey Findings