Number of Hong Kong secondary students with mental illness doubles over last 5 years

The number of secondary school students diagnosed with mental illness in Hong Kong has doubled over the past five academic years, with the increase potentially under-reported due to reluctance among some pupils and parents to disclose health information, education authorities have said.The data is in line with a trend recorded by the Health Bureau showing a growing number of people aged 15 to 24 being treated at public hospital psychiatric departments.Among that age range, the number of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression rose by 57 per cent and 43 per cent, respectively, over the five-year period.According to official figures submitted by education authorities to the Legislature on Tuesday, the number of secondary school students diagnosed with mental illness rose from 660 in the 2020-21 academic year to 1,330 in 2024-25.The number of students with special needs saw the largest increase, with the category including nine types of mental illnesses, including autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.In primary schools, the number of students diagnosed with mental illness also rose from 130 to 200 in the same period, a 54 per cent increase.