Hong Kong teenagers spent an average of six to seven hours a day on screens during the 2024/25 year, nearly double the time recorded for adults, according to survey findings cited on Thursday.

Student mental health is a matter of great concern. According to the latest data from the Education Bureau, the number of secondary students with mental health issues has doubled over the past five years, from 660 in 2020-21 to 1,330 in 2024-25.

The “Suicide Prevention Early Warning System” developed by HKU’s HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention issued a warning on March 23, 2026, indicating estimated suicide cases exceeded “extremely high” levels (above 3.56 per day). Professor Paul Yip, the Center’s Director, noted this was the first time the system had been triggered since its launch in 2020. He urged the public to care for those around them, especially the elderly, and called for reopening recreational facilities to promote mental well-being.

香港大學（港大）人口研究中心於2026年4月14日與團結香港基金合辦 「香港人口議題研討會：實例與政策」。研討會匯聚跨界別專家，結合政界、學者、智庫代表及商界等人士，探討如何制定具前瞻性的人口策略，以回應近年人口老齡化與移民等議題對本港帶來的挑戰，維持城市競爭力及完善規劃，打造宜居城市。

本次論壇結合“危機談判”與“精神健康”兩大社會核心議題，由前香港警務處談判組主管及跨地區專家共同策劃，邀得亞洲各地眾多政府官員、資深從業員及專家學者齊聚現場分享從業經驗，將圍繞香港警方談判組的實戰經驗、危機談判中的情緒與組織策略、青少年心理健康與自殺預防的創新思路，以及亞洲各地談判工作面臨的挑戰與願景等議題，進行深入研討與交流。

Co-organised by The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Faculty of Social Sciences Research Hub of Population Studies and Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF), the “Symposium on Hong Kong Population Issues: Facts and Policies” was held on April 14, 2026. Bringing together experts across sectors, including government officials and policymakers, academic scholars, think-tank representatives, and business leaders, this symposium explored how to formulate forward-looking population strategies to address the challenges posed by recent ageing and migration trends, maintain the city’s competitiveness, and build for a liveable city.

The Asian Professional Negotiators Network (APNN) successfully held the landmark opening ceremony of its first conference at the Royal Pacific Hotel in Hong Kong today (April 14). The event will run from April 14th to 16th, 2026. The event brought together over 100 senior practitioners, government officials, law enforcement leaders and mental health experts from across Asia and beyond.

The upcoming Asian Professional Negotiators Network Conference in Hong Kong, scheduled for mid-April, marks a vital milestone for regional public safety. More than just a professional exchange, this event is a catalyst for a critical conversation about how we integrate law enforcement with academia and NGOs to protect vulnerable populations across Asia.

近年香港職青至中年人士自殺情況明顯惡化，而現行制度雖然有一定的精神健康與危機介入服務，多以「全人」，「長者」或「青年」作為主軸，較少直接、系統地把「在職人士」視為獨立高風險群組。對比之下，南韓在法例與政策層面，已為「在職人士」逐步建立以生命歷程為本的自殺防治框架，明確把在職青年至中年人士納入重點對象，可引以為香港借鑑與推行本地化。

東華三院「歇一歇」照顧者資源中心聯同香港大學社會工作及社會行政學系，以問卷訪問885名精神復元人士的照顧者，發現66%受訪者正面對「高照顧負擔」，而20%照顧者曾出現自殺或自我傷害念頭。有學者表示調查反映照顧者群體正承受沉重心理壓力，需社會更全面支援。

照顧者精神健康狀況令人關注，缺乏支援隨時演變成悲劇。有機構昨公布調查發現，精神復元人士的照顧者普遍承受着高程度的照顧壓力，66%照顧者呈現高照顧負擔，當中兩成更曾有自殺或自殘念頭。有母親因長期憂心女兒健康而抑鬱症瀕臨復發；亦有照顧者因母親患抑鬱症而承受巨大壓力，缺乏服務資訊亦令他感無助。學者認為照顧者群體正承受沉重的心理壓力，建議政府設評估工具識別有自我傷害風險的照顧者，並提供快速轉介機制。

東華三院「歇一歇」照顧者資源中心聯同香港大學社會工作及社會行政學系的研究團隊進行一項精神復元人士照顧者的調查顯示，有兩成的照顧者曾出現自殺或自我傷害的念頭，高於一般港人，也有逾一成曾想過傷害被照顧者。而照顧者對自我照顧的需求相對較低，僅不足五成希望有情緒分享熱線，約三成半表示需要日間護理或暫息服務以維持工作與生活平衡。

About one in five caregivers of people recovering from mental illness have experienced suicidal or self-harm thoughts, according to a recent survey conducted by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and the University of Hong Kong.

東華三院「歇一歇」照顧者資源中心聯同香港大學社會工作及社會行政學系的研究團隊，在去年5至8月進行1項網上問題，旨在探討香港精神復元人士照顧者的照顧經驗及未被滿足的服務需要。調查透過社區網絡及社交媒體平台招募參加者，共收集1,157份回應，其中885名精神復元人士照顧者完整完成問卷並納入分析。

有社福機構和大學的研究團隊今日（12日）發表關於本港青少年接觸虛擬盲盒（Loot Box）機制及其心理健康影響的研究結果。研究顯示，虛擬盲盒已在青少年群體中高度普及，71%受訪者曾接觸虛擬盲盒，57%曾支付真實金錢。其中每月支出超過500元的群體，其自殺意念、自殘及自殺企圖的盛行率顯著高於其他群體，亟待社會各界監管介入。

電子遊戲內不乏「課金」要素，當中抽武器角色的虛擬盲盒更可成吸金「無底深潭」。有調查發現，高達七成一受訪中學生曾接觸「抽卡開箱」機制，逾半更願意掏真金白銀課金，當中9%受訪青年達「問題賭博」程度。研究團隊表示，這類高額消費與社交退縮、自殺意念、自殘行為呈顯著正相關，惟現時未有針對性措施，籲盡快展開虛擬盲盒監管討論及公眾諮詢。

Hong Kong’s new budget is positioned to foster high-quality, inclusive growth through innovation and finance. Ahead of projections, a surplus of HK$2.9 billion (US$370.8 million) is now expected, largely due to the stronger-than-expected stock market and tax receipts.

A recent study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships suggests that political disagreements within families can harm relational and individual mental health by breaking down positive communication. The research provides evidence that maintaining open and respectful dialogue is necessary to protect family bonds and personal well-being when relatives hold conflicting political or moral views.

香港「少子化」嚴重，2025年全年出生登記數字為31,714宗，創歷年新低，對比2015年共60,803宗出生登記，去年數目大幅跌近五成。香港大學社會工作及社會行政學系講座教授葉兆輝分析，重視個人自由、育兒開支高昂、住屋環境有限、教育競爭激烈等，是港人不願生育的原因。

Professor Chow Wing-sun, Emeritus Professor of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at HKU, wrote in a newspaper article that the government’s focus in the upcoming budget should be on “boosting income and protecting jobs” to provide citizens with peace of mind. He noted that the current minimum wage of HK$42.1 is still too low and should be reviewed.