As mental health professionals and university educators, we have a duty to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and self-reflection skills to protect their own mental health and that of their communities, and we also have a responsibility to ensure that student voices are heard as loudly as possible.
During a Common Core course on mental health literacy, students shared their challenges and perspectives on the current state of youth mental health. Many students identified academic stress as a major barrier to their mental health. The pressure to get into a world-class university and maintain a very high grade point average (GPA) leads many students to equate their self-worth with academic success.
Many students who no longer stand out as star students among a sea of accomplished classmates often find themselves in a constant state of competition and their self-identity is undermined. Freshmen, in particular, face the added challenge of having to quickly adapt to a new environment. These stressors, combined with the fear of being scorned or bullied, prevent them from expressing their insecurities.
To address these issues, students said more academic time off, bridge programs to facilitate a smoother transition to college, and perhaps first-semester GPA waivers could provide a grace period for adjustment and building mental capital to face daily challenges.
Routine conversations about mental health will encourage students to seek help. Support systems (family, teachers, peers) can be educated to be mental health gatekeepers for students’ wellbeing by referring them to appropriate help when needed. Students further advocated that mental health should be made a compulsory subject as early as possible (such as physical education in middle school) so that young people are more aware of their mental health status.
By empowering students to co-create their stories, we can develop a more comprehensive, efficient and effective approach to improving the mental health of university students. We believe that a diverse, harmonious, relaxed, safe and stable learning environment can promote their holistic development as future leaders.
Charmaine Choi and Paul WC Wong, School of Social Welfare and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong
DSE exam is a milestone not a destination
This is a truly inspiring film. Through the real-life experiences of teenagers, it depicts the impact of the Secondary Certificate Examination on young people. It features honest and candid comments and impressions from DSE students, former candidates, parents, educators and tutors. The film also explores the purpose of the public examination and the true definition of success.
I managed to pass the exam, but even after I became a teacher, I had nightmares about exams. The pressure exams put on an individual is immense. However, it is also true that exams help us mature. That may be why exams are considered a necessary evil. What matters is how you prepare for them and how you handle the results.
The more you understand this, the more prepared you will be to approach your exams properly and positively, and start a new chapter in your life when you finally receive your results, good or bad.
DSE, like many other events, is a milestone in life that marks personal growth. It may be a bittersweet experience, involving sweat and tears. It is important to remember that DSE is not a destination and there are multiple career paths available.
Teenagers are not alone. They are surrounded by many people, including their team, who are cheering for them. Old tales of HKDSE.
Ronica Chan, Discovery Bay
Why don’t traffic violation notices come with photo evidence?
I recently received a HK$560 (US$72) traffic ticket for getting out of my car on a double yellow line. I was able to appeal the fine, but that meant I would have to appear before a magistrate and, if my appeal was rejected, I would have to pay an additional fine.
I think the penalty was justified, but no evidence was presented that any law had been broken. Previously, traffic wardens would catch them on the spot and give them a ticket. In this case, I think the police officer must have taken a photo from a distance and sent them a penalty notice.
Wouldn’t it be fair to send a photocopy of the violation along with the ticket? I decided not to go to court, but was frustrated because I had no say in the matter and was not given any proof that I was at fault.
Deepak Mirchandani, Jardine’s Lookout
