Investing in Hong Kong’s mental health makes good economic sense

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s recent policy address set out an ambitious reform agenda designed to sharpen Hong Kong’s competitive edge while enhancing people’s livelihoods. As we enter Mental Health Awareness Month, we should reflect on the role mental well-being can play in the city’s fortunes.

Lee’s address mentioned an integrated approach featuring 11 measures as part of efforts to promote mental health. These include extending the Three-Tier School-based Emergency Mechanism, expanding the Healthy Mind Pilot Project to all District Health Centres and broadening participation in the Mental Health Workplace Charter.

These measures are welcome, but one important argument remains underdeveloped in the discourse around mental health. Mental well-being should be seen as a basic component of economic infrastructure. An economy based on high-value human capital, professional services and innovation while also being able to handle psychological distress is not a luxury but a strategic long-term investment in prosperity.