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Since the protests that rocked the former British colony began, almost a third of Hong Kong adults have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), warns a study published in the newspaper The Lancet .
The political crisis that Hong Kong has been going through since June 2019 has had a strong impact on the population. According to a study published by The Lancet on January 9, nearly a third of Hong Kongers over 18, or two million adults, have had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since the start of the pro-democracy mobilization which shakes the former British colony.
PTSD brings together various anxiety disorders that generally occur after traumatic events. Experts also note in their report that the number of people with symptoms is comparable to that found when populations are victims of a " major natural disaster, armed conflict or terrorist attack ".
NEW — The ongoing social unrest in Hong Kong may be affecting the mental health of the general adult population — potentially leading to substantial increases in demand for mental and psychosocial support services: finding from a 10-year observational study https://t.co / mpZ1TAM772 pic.twitter.com/tdqXtOquts
The Lancet (@TheLancet) January 9, 2020The lowest estimate
In September - November 2019, 32% of people observed had symptoms of PTSD. A figure six times higher than 5%, noted in March 2015, some time after the umbrella movement , a great mobilization for civil rights that had taken place in 2014, but which, unlike today had not been marked by so much violence.
An increase in probable depression cases has also been established. 11.2% of the participants in the study are concerned whereas they were only 1.9% between 2009 and 2014 and 6.7% in 2017. In addition, the researchers note that this study could underestimate the number of symptoms of PTSD or depression since it is limited to Hong Kong adults. The estimate given is therefore " the lowest " warn the researchers.
The number of people under 18 who participated in the pro-democracy mobilization could swell the ranks of people with mental disorders. As of December 4, 2019, 15% of those arrested during the protests were under the age of 18, according to the authorities.
Violence and social networks
The results published Friday do not establish a direct cause and effect link between the clashes that have enamelled the streets of the semi-autonomous Chinese city and the unrest noted. The study provides a statistical analysis over the last ten years showing only a temporal link between the increase in cases and social movements.
However, she notes that people who say they regularly consult social networks, which have been widely used to promote, organize or document the social movement, have more signs of PTSD or depression than others. The study also notes that " neutrality with regard to the extradition bill ", which is behind the Hong Kong protests, has halved the risk of " suspected PTSD ".
" A potential burden on the mental health of the entire population "
The study has lasted for 10 years, it is the largest and the longest in the world on the impact of social disorders on the mental health of the inhabitants, assure the authors. A decade during which researchers interviewed 18,000 Hong Kongers using specific forms. The results therefore only relate to Hong Kong, but the impact of social movements on mental health could affect the whole world. “ At a time when social unrest is increasing all over the world, and especially in big cities like Barcelona, Delhi, Paris or Santiago in 2019, the question of the impact of social unrest on the mental health of populations has become a a very big public health issue , ”explains one of the study's co-directors, Michael Ni, from the University of Hong Kong.
In the case of Hong Kong, experts predict "a lack of resources to deal with this mental health overload ". According to their hypotheses, " a substantial increase in the need for services - provisionally 12% more than the current reference level without taking into account hospital care and non-medical services " could be felt.