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28 / Periscope

Wendi Fu, a 20-year-old business major student of the Lingnan Uni-
versity, is one of those who suffers from mental problems. She does not
seek help from doctors and medical treatment, but she does suffer from
anxiety due to arguments and family conflicts over the recent protests.
“I feel very pressured and anxious when I am with my family, as we
have different political stances. It is very hard to avoid the topic in our
daily conversation. My parents kept bad-mouthing protestors at dinner
and this gave me a hard time. So, I chose to live in the school dorm, instead
of going back home most of the times, to avoid conflicts,” she says.
In light of the current situation of Hong Kong, Wendi is pessimis-
tic about the future of the city. She has been thinking about mov-
ing to other countries since 2014 and her determination got strong-
er this year due to the fears against the Communist Party of China.
“I don’t see any hope in the future. It is upsetting to see Hongkongers
don’t get what they deserve or what they should have had - justice and free-
dom,” Fu says. “Our freedom of speech and our independent legal system
are all being threatened since the 2014 Umbrella Movement,” she says.

Ways to cope with negative emotions

Care4ALL Programme While programmes and services
Pokky Choi, director and edu- are being offered to curb rising mental
cation psychologist of Edge Devel- health problems, it is likely there are
opment Centre, explains that the still some suffering in silence. Some
Dr. May Lam protests are tearing families apart. may not recognise their problems
“The difference in values and views or may not be willing to seek help.
could develop into doubts regard- “Many protesters prefer not
ing each other’s personality and to talk about their experience.
‘‘ moral standards, and thus breeds They are not worried about be-
ing labelled, but they are afraid of
The difference in mistrust and criticisms,” he adds. whistleblowers. You never know
Civil society in Hong Kong
values and views has been quick to respond to the whether they are friends or foes,”
Sam, the volunteer first aider says.
could develop into fears of the mental health crisis, Echoing what he said, Lam, Vice-
with many launching targeted
doubts regarding campaigns and psychological President (Censor/Education) of the
Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists
counselling services to the public.
each other’s per- Edge Development Centre set up , states that the hardest part is get-
sonality and moral a free hotline in June 2019, to provide ting those who need help to come
forward and receive service they
counselling service by voluntary ed-
standards, and thus ucational psychologists to the needy, offer. “Once participants come to
breeds mistrust and during the social unrest. Currently us, things are actually very easy.”
In hopes of helping more
the centre has about five educational
criticisms psychologists on a volunteer basis. who are reluctant to seek help,
The Hong Kong College of

’’