GenZ's in HK face pressure with the need to be constantly busy

Research reveals that the struggle with mental health for this particular pronounced with the Gen Z cohort. Compared with 58% of the general population globally, 69% of Gen Zs in APAC (compared with 61% average across all age groups) feel pressure to be constantly busy, with Hong Kong, India and Indonesia topping the list, revealed insights from McCann Worldgroup under its “Truth Studies – the Truth about Culture & Covid-19, the Truth about Gen Z and the Truth about Wellness”.

Across nearly all APAC markets, the gap between Gen Z and general population is significant. Through their use of technology, Gen Z is exposed to so much more of what’s going on around the world than previous generations, with no way to remain ignorant about today’s most anxiety[1]inducing topics like social inequality, sustainability issues, government failures, and so on.

According to the study, there are the additional social stresses that come with having to maintain a certain image online through social media, keeping up with peers. Around 70% of Gen Zs in India and 67% of Gen Zs in Thailand report feeling lonely despite being surrounded by family and friends, whilst all APAC markets showed significant difference for Gen Z versus general population (with Singapore and Indonesia showing the largest gap of over 10% difference). Around 76% of Gen Zs in APAC believe emotional connections are weaker today than they were in the past (in line with global sentiment), however, India and Indonesia exceed this at 86% and 84% respectively.

Even though significant progress has been made to normalise conversations about personal struggles, “problems with my mental health” remain the #1 most difficult topic for Gen Z to discuss with their peers, ahead of other sensitive subjects such as “money troubles” or “relationship problems”. Furthermore, when split by gender, (globally) 53% of Gen Z men agree that “suppressing your feelings and emotions is a good thing”, compared with 40% of Gen Z women.

Meanwhile, APAC attitudes differ dramatically from global perspectives when asked “what is wellness?”. The answer - “a state of mind / my emotions” ranked at 31% globally versus only 16% China and 9% Japan, with both of these markets interpreting wellness as more of a “physical state.

Despite this, China and Japan both index higher than the global average on the perspective of wellness being “a way of life”, indicating a more holistic view. Mental health stigma remains prevalent in many Asian markets, deeply rooted in a culture of collectivism and the concept of ‘face’ where to be different may be deemed undesirable and brings shame on one’s family. The increasing demands of modern life, combined with the Covid-19 pandemic have added even greater pressures, with almost half of people surveyed globally agreeing that stress is the biggest threat to wellness. APAC aligns, with China at 48%, India at 45% and Japan at 40%.

(Photo courtesy: 123rf)

To understand and better cope with the pressures of modern life, join us on 7-8 December 2021 at our National Counselling & Psychotherapy Conference 2021. This year, our focus is on promoting the overall mental health and emotional well-being of our community as we navigate these uncertain times. At the heart of our agenda is the belief in our strength and resolve - as individuals, families, and communities.