From campus to the workplace: mental wellbeing for the emerging workforce in Hong Kong
(This post includes excerpts from a 2024 study done by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups here.)
The transition from school life to the workplace marks a pivotal moment in young people’s development. For youth aged 18 to 29 in Hong Kong, this phase poses unique challenges due to increased responsibilities, identity shifts, and the need to adapt to highly demanding professional environments in this city. This shift also signifies the start of a long-term reflection on their ambitions and capabilities, highlighting the significance of addressing and navigating their own or others’ expectations during this period.
Informed by a recent study (February 2024) by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, 604 youth respondents (ages 18-29) who were working or between jobs were surveyed on their thoughts about workplace adaptation stressors, stressors, and systemic gaps. Most respondents (74%) had only worked for up to three years when surveyed.
A Period of Vulnerability
Imagine Lisa, a recent graduate embarking on her teaching career, who quickly becomes overwhelmed by the mounting pressures of her role. Within months, the demands of creating a positive and engaging learning environment for her young students, coupled with the expectation to work extended hours—much longer than those of her peers in other fields—begin to weigh heavily on her. Struggling to balance these challenges, Lisa faces sleepless nights, persistent self-doubt, and growing anxiety about fulfilling her family's expectations. Her experience reflects the challenges reported by over 33% of surveyed youths transitioning into the workforce.
The survey reported that the surveyed youths typically took 2 to 6 months of adaptation into their workplace. While 43-50% of respondents reported low stress from individual common challenges such as familial expectations, future planning, and workplace relationships, an average of over 33% experienced significant stress in these areas. Stress levels also varied by background: those with lower incomes reported greater stress managing finances and planning their future, while those with higher education levels reported elevated stress when planning their own future. Symptoms of stress frequently included heightened nervousness and heart palpitations.
An Overall Positive Outlook
While the start of a new chapter in life can be stressful, the challenges one face in this period could also be motivating and encourage a positive outlook. When surveyed about their mental well-being in the past six months, around half of the youth respondents reported low stress, positive moods, broadened social circles, confidence in their own ability, and fewer cases insomnia. 74.5% also reported good mental and emotional wellbeing in this time, especially for those who valued work-life balance. This highlights a generally optimistic outlook amongst working youths in Hong Kong. On the other hand, a significant portion of respondents reported high stress (22.5%), depressed moods (20%), and/or self-doubt (19%), while some reported isolating themselves (16.2%), and frequently experiencing insomnia (15.2%). Lastly, 12.4% of youths self-rated poor mental and emotional wellbeing.
Barriers to Seeking Help
Despite growing awareness, young workers often encounter systemic obstacles when seeking mental health support. 50.4% of youths believe their workplaces have low or zero tolerance of employees experiencing mental health challenges. Personal reasons also hinder one’s desire to seek help, with many youths (34.4%) believing that refusal to acknowledge one’s mental health issues and unfamiliarity with existing services (26.8%) may be barriers to seek help when needed.
52.6% of respondents also reported an unwillingness to discuss personal emotional or mental health issues, with one or more of the following reasons:
42.1% fear being the subject of others’ gossip
29.9% believe talking about it won’t help them
28.6% fear societal pressures and discrimination
19.5% were unsure who they could turn to for help
Evidently, even with an understanding of their own or others' needs, many young people continue to be acutely aware of the social stigma associated with mental health issues, which continue to dampen their desire to seek appropriate help. While approximately half of the respondents indicated that they turned to friends for stress relief, open discussions about mental health challenges continue to be considered taboo.
Bridging the Demand
Navigating the transition from academia to the workplace is often fraught with challenges, particularly for young professionals adapting to the demands of a new environment. While schools and universities in Hong Kong typically provide robust counseling support for students, similar resources are rarely extended to staff in the corporate sector. This lack of parity creates a critical gap in mental health support, leaving many young workers to face significant pressures without adequate resources. Research in Hong Kong has consistently highlighted elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among this demographic.
Counseling offers a vital solution to bridge this gap. By providing tailored strategies for stress management and equipping individuals to navigate workplace challenges, counseling can empower young professionals to thrive in demanding environments. It also serves as a confidential and supportive outlet for individuals to strengthen their mental well-being and self-confidence. If you're seeking a space to reflect on your personal goals or navigating the challenges of transitioning into a new workplace, feel free to contact us at compassionatemindshk@gmail.com to learn how counselling can help, or learn more about our counsellor here.
