HKUST Public Policy Bulletin Issue No.9

Promoting Mental Health Equity: Enhancing Ethnic Minority Mental Health Literacy and Help-Seeking in Hong Kong

 

Naubahar Sharif, Chen Wenjin

 

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The growing population of ethnic minorities (EMs) in Hong Kong faces significant mental health risks. Recent data from the Hong Kong Christian Service (2024) reveal that approximately 3 of 10 EM Hong Kong residents are highly vulnerable to mental health problems. Additionally, the population of elderly EM individuals (excluding foreign domestic helpers) has experienced a remarkable 166% increase over the past decade. It is therefore crucial to investigate mental health literacy (MHL) and helpseeking behaviors among EMs in Hong Kong. MHL and help-seeking play a pivotal role in determining whether individuals can recognize mental health issues, seek appropriate help, and utilize available healthcare resources—actions that should greatly improve their mental health outcomes. While the HKSAR government has attempted to address this issue, there remains a significant knowledge gap regarding MHL and helpseeking behaviors among EMs in Hong Kong. This policy bulletin summarizes a paper by Naubahar et al. (2024) that investigates MHL and help-seeking patterns among certain EMs in Hong Kong.

     

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    Authors

     

    Naubahar Sharif is Professor of Public Policy and Acting Head of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). His research interests include mental health and well-being, science, technology and innovation (STI) policy in Hong Kong and within the ‘Greater Bay Area’, and the Belt and Road Initiative. He has secured over HK$26 million in funding for mental health–related projects, notably from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Prof. Sharif presently serves as a Member of the HKSAR Government Advisory Committee on Mental Health (2017–2025), and as an Appointed Member of the HKSAR Government’s Mental Health Review Tribunal, guiding local mental health strategies and interventions.

     

     

     

    Chen Wenjin is a dedicated postdoctoral fellow of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). With a PhD in Public Administration, Dr. Chen’s research focuses on mental health and well-being, migration, and health policy. His academic pursuits revolve around investigating mental health disparities and health policies. Currently, Dr. Chen is also leading in the Hong Kong Elderly Wellbeing Survey (HKEWS) project, a research project aimed at understanding and improving the well-being of elders in Hong Kong.

     

    Further reading

    Naubahar Sharif, Chen Wenjin*, and Niu Mengyuan. (2024). “The Intersection of Ethnicity and Public Health System: Shaping Mental Health Literacy and Help-Seeking of Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong” Working Paper. Available online since 15 May 2024 at https://emmh.hkust.edu.hk/working-paper