Coco Lee’s death highlights need to battle enduring stigma surrounding mental health issues

The death of the pop star in Hong Kong, and that of an online influencer in Macau, have sparked discussion of a topic that is usually avoided
The goal should be an environment where these issues can be discussed like any other health concern and where there is greater access to mental health support

John Hanzhang Ye

Published: 6:15am, 8 Aug 2023

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Hong Kong and Macau have been saddened by the recent deaths of pop star Coco Lee and online influencer Jane Lao, the former manager of a popular Macau-based YouTube channel. These tragedies involving women dealing with depression have sparked discussion on how to identify and treat mental health issues, as well as what friends and relatives can do to help.

This might be the only positive outcome of the two deaths. However, we should not forget that there is a large group of people who have long been stigmatised, and that mental health is not just an individual issue but a societal one.

Many studies show the severity of Hongkongers’ mental health struggles. A 2013 study by the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey Team found that 13.3 per cent of local Chinese adults had common mental health disorders. The Hospital Authority reported this year that the number of psychiatric patients diagnosed with depression rose from 56,100 to 66,000 between 2018 and the end of 2022.

A recent report by a University of Hong Kong research team found that 16 per cent of respondents, aged 15 to 24, had a probable psychiatric disorder and 1.5 per cent had attempted suicide. A 2017 review of mental health by the Food and Health Bureau estimated that between 1.1 million and 1.8 million people in the city had a mental disorder and between 70,000 and 220,000 people had severe mental illness.

Despite the large number of people potentially struggling with mental health issues, open discussion of the subject is rare in Hong Kong. It is considered a private matter, unlike illnesses such as the flu. Symptoms of depression are mistaken as choosing to isolate from others or being in a “bad mood”, harming social interactions with friends and family.

In this sense, suppressing mental health concerns becomes a matter of managing one’s image in front of others. Hiding how they feel only puts more pressure on those grappling with their mental health.

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Society has long stigmatised people with mental illness. Popular culture portrays mental health facilities in a negative light, with people receiving treatment written off as “crazy”. While society has changed and awareness has improved, those with mental health issues still face heavy stigma.

A 2014 study found that respondents in Hong Kong held strongly negative views about the potential violent and annoying behaviour of people with serious mental disorders. A 2021 study found that stigma related to mental health was higher among women, older people and the less educated.

Hongkongers’ happiness falls to 3-year low, poll finds, as experts warn of anxiety

This continuing stigma prevents people from openly discussing their mental health or seeking help for fear of facing judgment from or discrimination by family, friends and colleagues.

Hong Kong has a reputation for efficiency. The city’s high-pressure environment leaves people little room to unwind after the workday. Hongkongers are under constant pressure to keep working to pay their mortgage, rent, education expenses and more.

The deaths of Lee and Lao are a reminder that while those in the limelight might maintain an upbeat public persona, but they too could be battling mental health problems. Calling for people to have greater awareness of mental health issues and learning how to help those dealing with them is only the first step.

People walking through Central on March 21. The latest Hong Kong Workplace Happiness Index found that the city’s working population is significantly unhappier than its general population. Photo: May Tse

Promoting mental health should involve more than telling those struggling to seek help. The goal should be to build an environment where mental health issues can be discussed like any other health concern and people dealing with them can be accepted by those around them.

In addition, the government must do more to recruit the mental health professionals Hong Kong needs. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau’s response to a question in the Legislative Council last month showed that the number of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and social workers employed by government agencies is still less than ideal. Everyone in the city must come together to create a better environment and prevent other tragic, needless deaths in the future.

John Hanzhang Ye is a PhD student in science and technology history at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and also holds an MPhil degree in sociology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong

If you have suicidal thoughts or know someone who is experiencing them, help is available. In Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or +1 800 273 8255. For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page.

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