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The COVID-19 pandemic was a global crisis that affected millions of lives and brought mental health challenges to the forefront. In Hong Kong, the situation was worsened by uniquely strict COVID-19 regulations, quarantine measures, and travel restrictions. The mental health issues associated with the pandemic did not end with the lifting of the mask mandate. On the contrary, the repercussions are only just beginning to surface and their impact will be felt for years to come.
This eye-opening book tells the stories of ordinary Hongkongers who faced extraordinary challenges during the pandemic. Through a blend of first-person accounts, psychological insights, and hard data, it offers a compelling and accessible exploration of the toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on mental health in Hong Kong.
However, this book is not only a chronicle of suffering—it is also a guide to healing and hope. It offers practical advice on how to overcome the mental health issues caused by the pandemic, and how to build resilience and well-being. It reveals the lessons that can be learned from Hong Kong’s experience, and how they can help individuals and policymakers around the world.
‘The almost three-year-long COVID-19 pandemic was difficult for many, especially amongst low-income families. We are still suffering from the long COVID of mental health. Mental wellness of the population during COVID-19, particularly amongst those who had been quarantined, was overlooked by authorities. Pandemic Minds provides many insights to prevent repeating mistakes again.’
—Paul S.F. Yip, director, Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, University of Hong Kong
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
Chapter 2 Quarantine 7
Chapter 3 School Closures 29
Chapter 4 The Elderly 42
Chapter 5 Pandemic Pregnancy 55
Chapter 6 Frontline Health Workers 71
Chapter 7 Child Separation 98
Chapter 8 Pilots 108
Chapter 9 Migrant Workers 121
Chapter 10 Uncertainty 138
Chapter 11 Suicide 153
Chapter 12 Nature as Healer 165
Chapter 13 Silver Linings 176
Chapter 14 Ways Forward: Access to Mental Health 190
Works Cited 203
About the Author 211