Your Voice: The social struggles of ethnic minorities; rising mental health issues among Hong Kong students (short letters)
- One students writes about her experience of being a Pakistani born and living in Hong Kong
- Another student shares his concerns on the rising suicide rate among the city’s students
One student writes that many people are treated as outcasts all their life just because they were born third-culture kids. Photo: Shutterstock Have something to say? Send us a letter using this Google form.
Outcast but not alone
Liyba, Pope Paul VI College
I am writing in response to your article “Macau ‘outcasts’ expand the definition of Cantonese culture on podcast”, published on November 26, 2023.
I think it is quite sad that they have been treated as outcasts all their life just because they were born third-culture kids. I have felt the same way as a Pakistani born and living in Hong Kong. I resonate a lot with Cantonese culture because it is what I predominantly grew up with, but I feel left out at most times, just like an “alien”, as Paji said, because I do not look Cantonese at all. Not to mention, my Cantonese is also quite poor.
The podcast is surely relatable to many ethnic minority people in Hong Kong. I am glad that I am not the only person with these struggles, and I believe all ethnic minority individuals feeling overlooked should listen to it to know that they are not alone.
Your Voice: Tackling Hong Kong’s racial discrimination problem (long letters)
Together, we can
Wong Nga-lam, Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School
I am writing to express my concern about the problem of mental illness faced by teenagers in Hong Kong. In order to make a difference and support the well-being of teenagers, I would like to suggest the following measures.
Firstly, we should encourage peer support. Many teenagers facing mental health problems hope to find someone they can express their feelings to. Enhancing peer support networks can establish mentorship among students and allow them to help one another.
Secondly, parental involvement is crucial as it can play a significant role in understanding the root causes of teen suicide and identifying risk factors. Providing resources for parents to recognise warning signs and seek appropriate support is essential.
Lastly, schools need to implement comprehensive mental health programmes that include counselling services and awareness campaigns. It is also important to train teachers and staff members to identify signs of mental distress and provide appropriate support.
In conclusion, the community as a whole can work towards preventing further tragedies and nurturing the mental well-being of the youth of Hong Kong.
25% of Hong Kong children and adolescents faced mental disorder in past year
AI: curse or boon?
Janesha Rai, Pope Paul VI College
It is a well-known fact that artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, and its use in our daily lives has been increasing exponentially.
With the capabilities of AI, almost anything is possible, including the creation of false information and disturbing “deep fakes”, which are videos where people’s faces or bodies have been altered. While generative AI allows creators to unleash their creativity and improve the quality of their content, it is essential to balance this with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the online community.
Artificial intelligence has made significant advancements and has had a profound impact on our society. It has the potential to help us achieve greatness, but it can also lead us astray if misused and abused. YouTube’s new policy that creators will soon have to disclose the use of generative AI in videos or risk suspension may help mitigate some of the negative consequences of AI on viewers, but to what extent? It is important for us to educate ourselves on using AI with ethical intentions and refrain from its misuse.
Pros and cons of studying abroad
Lee Yan-kiu, Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School
With the recent surge in emigration, the number of primary school students in Hong Kong has decreased. I believe there are two main reasons parents want their children to study abroad.
Firstly, they want to broaden their children’s horizons. By studying in foreign countries, young people can meet others from diverse backgrounds and acquire knowledge through building relationships with them.
Additionally, they can develop practical skills, making them more independent. Moreover, being around fluent speakers in a non-native language like English can enhance their personal competitiveness, benefiting their job prospects after graduation and improving their lives.
Face Off: Is studying in Hong Kong better than studying overseas?
While some parents decide to send their children overseas after careful consideration, others may do so simply to follow the trend.
With the internet providing easy access to information, parents may be influenced by the experiences and school lives shared online.
In conclusion, it is important for parents to discuss and involve their children in the decision-making process before opting to study abroad and to make the decision after careful consideration. It is a big decision that shouldn’t be made lightly.