Hong Kong star Ronald Cheng’s opening up on drink and depression will help end stigma: doctors

Mental health experts say people with depression often try to self-medicate with alcohol, but celebrities discussing their problems breaks the taboo

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Ronald Cheng, who has said he will seek treatment for depression and alcohol problems, promotes a tour last year. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 10:28pm, 7 Aug 2024Updated: 1:29am, 8 Aug 2024

People with depression often use alcohol as self-medication because it gives a false feeling that they are coping with the condition, experts have said after Hong Kong singer Ronald Cheng Chung-kei opened up on his psychiatric troubles and vowed to go into rehab to tackle his drinking.

Psychologists said celebrities such as Cheng who showed courage and opened up about their struggle with depression could help destigmatise mental health problems and boost public knowledge.

Cheng, a renowned Cantopop singer, wrote on his social media page on Tuesday that he would take a break from the spotlight because he was overwhelmed by stress and had used alcohol to cope with depression.

The 52-year-old admitted he had struggled with alcohol for years and decided to quit in 2000 after he caused a disturbance on a flight because he had been drinking.

“I went to see a doctor on my friend’s advice and found out that I had depression, which was then managed by medication,” Cheng said.

“However, I made the wrong decision again and chose to drink to escape from reality.