HKFYG Survey: Nearly 60% of Students Show Depressive Symptoms; Nearly 50% Have Confided in AI

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A survey by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) Counselling Service found that 60% of students showed depressive symptoms during the back-to-school adjustment period, with academic pressure being the main source of stress. Nearly 50% of students said they had confided in AI. The team noted that some students used the word "log out" on social media to hint at suicidal thoughts, and called on society to take the potential psychological crisis among young people seriously.

📊 Back-to-School Stress Averages 5.9 Points; Depression Scores Rise with Grade Level
HKFYG Counselling Service released the results of its "Secondary School Students' Back-to-School Adjustment Survey," interviewing 5,469 secondary school students. The survey showed that on a 10-point scale, students' back-to-school stress index averaged 5.9 points, with academic pressure being the main source of stress. Among them, 56.5% of students showed signs of depressive mood, with the overall average score on the depression scale exceeding the warning line of 16 points. The breakdown data further showed that scores rose with grade level, from 16.3 points in Form 1 to 20.2 points in Form 6, indicating that senior students face a higher risk of depressive mood.

🤖 Nearly 50% Have Confided in AI, but Over 80% Agree Real-Person Help Is Needed
Regarding who students confide in, 76.2% would talk to friends, and 63.6% would talk to family. Nearly 50% of students said they "often" or "sometimes" use AI tools to confide their feelings and seek advice. Many surveyed students explained that they chose AI because they could express their feelings anonymously, and when they did not know who to turn to for help, they would turn to AI instead. However, over 80% of students still agreed that when facing significant emotional distress, they ultimately need to seek help from real people.

⚠️ Anxiety Warning Signs Appear as Early as Primary 5; Students Use "Log Out" to Hint at Suicidal Thoughts
Chan Ying-kit, Service Head of HKFYG, pointed out that when students show symptoms of depression and anxiety, they may be accompanied by physical reactions such as insomnia, hand tremors, loss of appetite and muscle tension. He called on students to take mental health issues seriously, noting that related symptoms can appear as early as Primary 5, because after entering puberty, the brain's neurological regulatory system is not yet stable. He reminded students that if they consistently feel nervous and uncomfortable when talking to others or in class, or lack motivation for a long time, these may be warning signs of anxiety. From September last year to September this year, the organisation handled a total of 27,243 emotional-related hotline cases.

📞 Urges Parents Not to Overemphasise Grades; Seek Professional Counselling Early
Chan Ying-kit added that he understands students fear being labelled after seeking help. He suggested that those troubled by negative thoughts for a long time may call HKFYG's "Care Hotline" at 2777 8899 to talk, while students with serious emotional conditions may be referred by school social workers to the Hospital Authority for treatment. He also called on parents and schools not to overemphasise grades, to pay more attention to children's emotional changes, to give them sufficient buffer time to adjust to the new school year, and to seek professional counselling as early as possible when needed.