Hong Kong Schools Launch Mental Health Drive as Kids Return to Class

Tuesday marked the first day of school for primary students across Hong Kong, and many arrived with mixed emotions — excitement about seeing friends again, but also anxiety about exams and the year ahead. At Hong Kong Taoist Association Wun Tsuen School, Education Secretary Christine Choi Yuk-lin visited to announce a new initiative focused on student well-being. The campaign, named “Forging Relationships, Nurturing Well-being,” starts this month and aims to create a safer, more caring school environment.

Choi said the program encourages students to support and care for one another, with a specific focus on preventing campus bullying. The plan includes a series of talks designed to help parents, teachers, and students adjust to the new school year. By working together, the education bureau hopes students can develop healthily in body, mind, and spirit — not just academically.

The emotional tension was visible among students. Prabhleen Kaur, 11, a Primary 6 student in her final year of primary school, said she was thrilled to return but also felt pressure from upcoming exams. Her feelings reflect a broader trend: many students across Hong Kong face academic stress, social pressures, and concerns about fitting in.

For parents and teachers, the campaign offers a structured way to talk openly about mental health. The hope is that by strengthening relationships early in the school year, students will feel more comfortable reaching out for help, and bullying will become less common. It’s a small step, but one that could make a real difference in how children experience school.